Rural Pennsylvania 



In the Vicinity of Philadelphia 



BY 



REV. S, F. HOTCHKIN, M, A. 



AUTHOR OF 



"A History of Germantown," "York Road, Old and New," 
"The Bristol Pike," Etc.. Etc. 



o* .< V* J* 



WITH NUMEROUS FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS 



4 4 4 .•£ 



PHILADELPHIA 

GEORGE W. JACOBS & CO. 

103 S. Fifteenth Street 

1897 



2(^628 



Copyright, J 897, by Rev. S. F. Hotchkin 




I 



This Book is respectfully Dedicated to my Friend 

FRANCIS T. SULLY DARLEY, 

A Member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 



PREFACE, 



In the preface of rrofessor (leori^e W. (ireene's History of Kliode 
Island we leail: "If. willi the ])IiiIusoi)Iicr, liistt)ry reveals the laws of life, 
with the poet she lecalls the i)ast and stirs human synipathies in their pro- 

foundest depths \nd, first and foremost of all, our stimul.ints to 

action is our svmi)ath\' with our fellow-m;in." 

The son of Tresident Day. of \ale (.■ollei;c. writes: '"riicre are many 
im])ortant. hut isolated facts, and a lunidred little episodes and anecdotes, 
of thrilliui;" interest to the iidiahitants of the rei^ion where they occurred, 
which llistory. in her statel}' march, cannot stc]) .aside to notice. Sh<irt 
biographical sketches of men distinguished in theii- own conmumity. hut 
not uuich known beyond, seldom find an .-iiipiMpiiate place in a history of 
the oi'dinar\- foiMu : anil \et it is impoit.anl that ihcy should he preserved." 

"The study of history ou,t,dit to hei^in at home; yet how many men are 
there in this State, as in others, who are far more familiar with the history 
of luit^land. or with the career of .\Iexander, Caesar, or .Vapoleou. than 
with the e\ents that h;i\e occm^red ui>ou the \ery hclds which they them- 
selves are tillint;! .\nd this arises from the lack of jjrojjer hooks and docu- 
ments within their reach."- — Sherman Day's I'reface to llis Historical Col- 
lections of I'ennsyK ania. 

Ml". Dav adds, concerning; i)ictures. presented in the wmk accordini;' 
to the prexalent "laudable taste" of the at^e: "'.'-iouic of tliein will ])reser\e 
the ajipearance of ancient edifices ,iiid moninnents. now rapidly yieldinjj;' to 
till' hand of lime: ;uid those rc]iresentiuL; towns. \ill;iL;es. ;nid modern edi- 
lices will not only convey to the readers of the present day some idea of 
those objects, but enable i)osterit\-, if the book should e\er reach them, to 
contrast our a,i;;e with theirs." 

The jiicture of the old market-liouse in I'hiladelphia. ami the streets 
where Market intersects bront Street, as a frontis])iece, well ilhistrated the 
author's wcjrds, ami the burninj;- of St. Dominic's CIuux-Ji, Coliesj^eville 
(Holnicsbiirg), and the destruction of the toll-house at Ilohnesburg bridge 

7 



8 PREFACE. 

over tiK' reniivpack Creek, shortly after my own volume on the Bristol 
Pike with a view of tlie buildings appeared evinces the usefulness of pic- 
torial local history. 

The advance in the artistic character of the pictures may be seen at 
once bv comparing those in the present volume with any old work of this 
kind. 

Local historv is more important in a neighborhood than the history of 
the world in general. The ground we tread, and the houses we look upon 
teem with lessons of the past to guide the present. Americans go thou- 
sands of miles across the sea to admire foreign relics, and come home to 
destrov their own. They gloat over ancient antiquity, and despise or over- 
look modern antiquity, which is the real antiquity. 

Says Lord Bacon, in the first book of the "Advancement of Learning:" 
"Those times are ancient when the world is ancient; and not those we vul- 
garlv account .-incicnt by computing backwartls; so that the i^resent time 
is the real antiquity." Roger Bacon had the same idea. 

American history, then, is ancient history, and the heirs of the ages are 
farther away from the Creation than the Jews or the Egyptians. 

The writer of this vohnne, in the Cicnnanlown Telegraph, under the edi- 
torship of H. W . l\a\niond. having condensed and continued Townsend 
Ward's excellent work on Germantown, which appeared in the Pennsylvania 
Magazine of History and Biography, jjursued his own labors in two other vol- 
umes on the \'ork Road, Fox Chase and Bustleton, and on the Bristol 
Pike. I'.eing familiar with the section treated of in the present work by 
reason of the long residence of his father's family in its limits, he desired 
to ])er])ctuate its history. 

The object is simply to give specimens of rural life in Pennsylvania. 

Houses are dis]>layed, but the house is the shell of the man, like his 
bii(l\. and so the reader is informed, who has dwelt or who now dwells in 
tlirni. tlidugh the architectural changes are important. an<l tlie \iews gi\'e 
more information than many pages of descri]ition of each dwelling could 
afford. In describing li\ing men the autlK)r believes in the tremendous dig- 
nitv of ///(' as life, whether lived in a palace or farm-house, and thinks the 
historv of a vicious king, who died centuries ago in a foreign land; or a 
cruel general, among those Romans, who, as the Latin historian, Tacitus, 
says, "made a desolation and called it peace," is of less inqxirtance to a coun- 
trv lad than llie knowledge of how his wise neighbor has succeeded in farm- 
ing, manuf.'icturing, or railroading. 

'I'he ])ublic prints give full notices of the li\es of living Presidents and 
pul)lic officials; but people wish to know more about their own friends; and 



PREFACE. 9 

men liiild a standini;- in their own connnunity earned liy many toilsome years 
of labor, which demands an ohitnary hefore death has slilknl the ear; and 
calls for llowers before the\ co\er the lid of a coftin. Children advance 
by commendation; and those who read the heart of _a;rown-up boys under- 
stand that a cheerinfx word aids men who often droop in life's great struggle. 

liisho]) Henry C". Potter, of New 'S'ork, related how, after the death of 
the genial and gifted Kc\-. I )r. V.. A. W'ashliunu', Rector of (";il\;uy C'hnroh, 
in that city, the clergy met in the rectory, and told how highly they re- 
garded him; while the weeping wife cried out, "If you loved Edward so 
much, why did you not tell him so when he was alive?" 

l'"urthcrnKirc, this book will soon be history in its connnon sense, as 
a book of the dead; for a few ])ersons named in it ha\e died during its prepa- 
ration; but Christ, who took human nature to open Heaven's tloor, will 
introduce His faithful ones who lca\e the earthly par.'idise of this rural re- 
gion to an e\erlasting spring among fadeless tlowers, where eternal houses, 
not made bv earthly hands, abide fore\er, while earthl\' tenements built 
with cost and care are in ruins. 

X'arious Nolumes have been consulteil in prepai'ing these simple 
sketches, ;nid references to such aid is given, but si)ecial acknowledgment 
is made to Dr. (leorge Smith's e.xcellent History of Delaware County; .\sh- 
mead's History of Delaware County; Cdenn's toilsome and scholarly work. 
"Merion in the Welsh Tract." and my friend. William llender Wilson's 
exact and faithful sketches of railroad men in the I'ciiiisyk'itnia Railroad 
Mcii's .Vcti'.s-, edited by him; and Colonel Bean's History of Montgomery 
County; the officers of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania Library 
have gi\en their aid. 

Many kind letters have s]ied this work, and its writer has ])ersonalIy 
visited nearly all of the places that he describes, and has taken at other times 
accounts from residents at first hand. Sonic gentlemen have driven him 
for miles around the region of their homes, guiding his pencil as he took 
his notes. To all such he utters heartfelt thanks, hoping it luav be a pleas- 
ure to them to see the result of their labors. 

The institutions of learning and the chinches display the elTect of high 
Christian civilization. 

It has been said very falsely that there is no history in peaceful times. 
Such periods form the true history when religion and science and agricul- 
ture .'ind ciinunerce walk h;inil in li.ind in hum.in de\ elopmcnt. 

The sun rises on a ha|)py and contented pi>]pnl,iti()n, and sets on shec])- 
fdlds and cattle and villages ludiarmed. 

In war the church bell is silent, the factory closed, the school abandoned, 



lo FRIiFACE. 

tlic towns burning and the cattle slain, while trem1)ling people arc forced 
into the strife, or half-starved at home, or wandering from their loved 
abodes with memories of death and carnage wliicli has broken families, and 
left tears for smiles. 

In closing his eleventh book the writer understands in a small measure 
what will here be noted. 

The following is Gibbon's account of his finishing the Decline antl Fall 
of the Roman l^mpire. as given in James Cotter ]\Iorison"s Life of Gibbon, 
pp. 136, 137: 

"On the day, or rather the night of the jjth of June. 17S7," the goal was 
reached. "Between the horns of ele\en and twelve I wrote the last page in 
a summer-house in my garden (at Lausanne). After laying down my pen 
I took several turns in a berceau, or co\ered walk of acacias, which com- 
mands a prospect of the country, the lake, and the mountains. The air 
was temperate, the sky was serene, the siher orb of the moon was reflected 
from the waters, and all nature was silent. I will not dissemljle the first 
emotions of joy on the recovery of my freedom, and perhaps the establish- 
ment of my fame. But my jiride was soon humbled, autl a sober melancholy 
was spread over my mind by the idea that i had taken an everlasting leave 
of an old and agreeable companion, and that whatsoe\er might l^e the 
future fate of my history, the life of the historian must be short and pre- 
carious." 

This volume contains many notices of prominent Philadelphians. The 
Pennsylvania historian, Sydney G. Fisher, in an article entitled "Fennsyl- 
vania and Ider I'uldic Men," in. lApphxcoH's Magazine (July, A. T). 1896), 
thus writes; "The .\bl)e Gorrea, who was rortuguese Minister to the L'nited 
States and a well-known wit in Philadeli)lna at the beginning of the i)resent 
century, usetl to say that the rennsyhanians reminded him of the little boj's 
in the streets. When they saw a conuade getting a ride at the back of a 
wagon they always called out to the dri\-er. "Cut behind.' " 

lie further cpiotes Horace Binney concerning I'hiladelphia: "She does 
not lake, ami she never has taken satisfaction in hal)itually iionoring her 
distinguished men as her men, as men of her t)wii family." 

Kfilory of Ihc Church of Si. Luke, ihc Biloved Physiiian, 
BustUlon, Philadelphia, Afar(k jjd, /Sgy. 







O 



es 



< 



RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 



"Fair Pennsylvania! than thy midland vales. 
Lying 'tvvixt hills of green, and bound afar 
By billowy mountains, rolling in the blue, 
No lovelier landscape meets the traveller's eye. 
There Labor sows and reaps his sure reward, 
And Peace and Plenty walk amid tlie glow 
And perfume of full garners." 

T. Buchanan Read's "New Pastoral." 

Tlie iniiiiediate siil)url)s of a citv are often hrokcii. distort ed.andpatchv. 
A row of small brick houses adjoins some open lots, which are untilleil, anil 
perhaps a brick-yard or a factory makes up the scene. But in leaving" Phil- 
adelphia on the Pennsylvania Railroad, rolling hills and winding streams 
and gTo\es soon show the traveler that he is in God's land of rural glory. 

Cowper wrote in the first book of "The Task," entitled, "The Sofa": 

"God made the country, and man made the town." 

He here translates well the Latin i)oet. \'arro: "Piviiia luitiira dcdit 
agros. ars Iiiiinaiia acditicant iiiihw." More literally it runs, "Divine nature 
gave fields. Inuiian art built cities." 

This book treats of the country, though also of citizen dwellers in the 
country, who show that they love to flee from crowded and nois}' streets 
to open fields. 

Dante, in "The Vision," "Purgatory," Canto XX\^I, describes the 
"mount ain-bred rustic" thus: 

"If some city's walls 
He chance to enter, round him stares agape. 
Confounded and struck dumb." 

But, if the countr\nian l)etrays wondering curiosity in the man-made 
buildings of the town, the citizen finds more amazement in green fiekls and 
fertile meadows and magnificent sunsets and grand simrisings. 

13 



U RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 

Dante's |)receptor. r>ruiietto, wrote a poem, in wliich lie describes tiie 
lial)itati<in nf \irtue anil tier dano'hters: 

"Wide and far the chaini)ani lay. 
None in all the ear'.h so gay. ' 

Into such a wide coiuUr\' we now enter. 

Indian wiowams ha\e disappeared, but Indian names remain. The 
[)rimiti\e Welshmen, who followed the Indians, have deijarted, but their 
descendants embalm their mcmcjry in many a name, and he who reads 
Glenn's "Merion in the \Velsli Tract" can re-people the country. 

In leaving- Philadelphia the Schuxikill X'alley Railway parts from the 
Penns\l\ania Railroad at Fifty-second Street, and soon ]Montgomery 
C'ount\', which bounds Philadelphia, is reached. We are reminded at once 
of W'elsli settlers. Montgomeryshire is a county in Wales touching Salop 
(an English county), and Radnor and Merioneth C<5unties in Wales. Kude. 
barren mountains abound, and Plinlinnnon erects itself there. Ihe 
Severn \'alley and the Wye Ri\er in that county are familiar names in 
America. 

We enter Montgomery Count)- in the township of Lower Merion. 

The name Montgomery was applied to this county in honor of the 
]>atriotic general, Richard Montgomery, who fell at the assaulting of Uue- 
bec on the night of December 31st, 1775. The county was formetl by 
an Act of the Colonial Legislatm"e .September 10th, \y^4, \o2 vears 
after William Penn's arrixal. It was cut otY from the old count}- of Philadel- 
piiia. which was one of the three original counties of Penn's ])ro\ince. 
Chronologicall}- it became the fifteenth county of tlie State. — l\e\-. Dr. 
Matthias Sheeleigh's "Sketch of Montgomerv Coinn\. " \ ol. I of sketches, 
published b\' the Ilistt)rical Society of Montgomery l_'ount\-. p. 2^2. 

The traxeler leaving l'hila<leli)hia 1)\- the Schnvlkill \'allev Railroad 
soon reaches 

P>.\I,.\. — .\fv friend, and e\-er\ boil\ "s friend, the late Dr. lames ]. 
Pexick. in "The i"-arlv llistor\- of Merion," /'i;. Mn'^. dl I list, and Bio;^.. \'ol. 
1\'. iNcSo, writes: "I'.ala and its vicinity, from whence these earlv I'rientls 
came, is one of the most bcautifid regions in .\ortli Wales. P>e!ie\-ed to 
have been a Roman station, it is situated at the he;id of I'emblemere, or 
Bala Lake, one <if the largest sheets of \\-;iter in \\ ales. It lies in the bost)m 
of a fair xalley, guarded by the peaks of the Berwyns. the .\renigs, .Vran. 
I'enlhn. and their subordinate hills. The lake is a favorite with anglers, 
and altords ti-ont of large size, ])erch, ])iki', and a white lisli, called gwvniaiil, 
found in Wales, onl\- in these waters. The town and its neighborlioi mI 



a 

> 




RURAL PEXXSVLr.^XfA. t? 

liave long- lieen celel)rate<l for the beauty of its people. Lord Lyttleton 
says he saw here the ])rettiest girls he e\er hehekl." — Murray's llaiul-Book 
of Wales, 1864. 

A pretty village has arisen at the Pennsylvania Bala, largely through 
the efforts of the public-spirited lieorge B. Roberts, who delighted to over- 
see improvements in building, and was a benefactor to city and country. 

Just beyond the village is Christ Church Hospital, an Episcopal insti- 
tutitJU, as a Home for Aged Women, under the chaplaincy of Rev. Gideon 
J. Burton. 

St. Asaph's Church, Bala, bears a Welsh name, the name of a Welsh 
bishophric. A picture of the cathedral, with its massive square tower, and 
its large, pointed chancel window, ma_\" be seen in Rev. C. Arthur Lane's 
English Church History, \'ol. 1, p. 2/. 

In passing I note that the Teutons, not understanding the Celts who 
preceded them, called those who spoke it "IVclsh." meaning that they were 
not intelligible, (p. 30.) 

George B. Robei!.ts. — In "Makers of Philadelphia," edited by Charles 
Alorris, and published by L. R. Hamersly & Co., a sketch of ]\Ir. Roberts 
appears, which we will summarize. 

This useful and unassuming man, at the head of the PennsvK'ania Rail- 
road, one of the largest corporations in the world, owed his post under God 
to the faithful work of early life, having been a civil engineer and railway 
manager. He was born in A. D. 1S33, at Bala, where he lately died. He 
studied in the Polytechnic Institute, at Troy, N. Y., and began work as a 
rodman in the Penns}d\ania mountains, employed by the Pennsvlvania 
Railroad. When only nineteen years old he Ijecame assistant engineer 
on the Philadelphia & Erie Railroad, and was afterward chief engineer in 
the construction of various railways. In 1862 he was made assistant to Pres- 
ident J. Edgar Thomson, of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and, in 1869, fourth 
Vice-President, and "almost immediately afterwards" second-Vice-Presi- 
dent. In 1S74 Col. Thomas A. Scott "succeeded J. Edgar Thomson in the 
Presidency, and Mr. Roberts was adxanced to the post of First \'ice-Presi- 
dent." An immense load was then laid on willing shoulders. In 1880 Colonel 
Scott's death was followed by the election of Mr. Roberts to the Presidency, 
and he has since annuall\- been elected to that high office. The sharehold- 
ers felt that he was a public servant, and working for the good of all. This 
useful man died January 30th. .\. D. 1897, and his death was greatly la- 
mented. Mr. Roberts's ancestors came from Bala, in \\'ales, and the farm 
inherited from them was given that name by him. 

The village of Bala, to which the name is widened, is "on the Schu_\l- 



1 8 RURAL PEXXSYLrAXlA. 

kill Ilrancli of tlie lV'nns\l\'aiiia I^ailroad, mi \hv nurtliwestcrn edge of 
I'^airnidunt I'ark." 

JJala in Wales received its first railway train on the very da}- that its 
Pennsylvania namesake had the same experience. 

The ancient farm-house of his ancestors was lovingly preserved 1)_\' Mr. 
Roberts. It was his l)irthplace and his home, where his library and his 
fields ga\-e him relief from the weight}- cares of business. He was a vestry- 
man in St. Stephen's Episcopal Chnrch, in Tenth Street, Philadel])hia, and 
also in St. Asaph's Church, at Bala. The descendants of jnhn Roberts, 
including George P>. Roberts, placed a window to his memory in St. Asaph's 
Church in A. D. 1895. Tlie window was made in London and copied from 
one in St. Mary's Church, Oxford, England. The land on which the 
church stands belonged to John Roberts, "the first settler." He was born 
in 1648, and died in 17.34. The window represents the \Mse Men giving tlie 
Infant Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh, .\ngels are above the X'irgin 
and Child, and an inscription, from Isaiah, runs: "The Gentiles shall come 
to Th\' light, and Kings to the brightness of Th\' rising." The .\innnicia- 
tion, the \ isitation of St. Elizabeth, and the Presentatit)n in the Temple 
are also delineated in the window. 

Bishop \\ hitaker and Rc\-. h'rederick Burgess, Rector, ofhciatcd at the 
service of the opening of the window on Sunday afternoon, December 8th. 
A, D. 1895. The Bishop preached on the "Parable of the Wise and Foolish 
Virgins," and administered confirmation. The Br\n Mawr Home Xcws 
of December 13th gave a more extended accoimt of the service. 

St. Asaph was a sexenth-century bishoj), su])posed to ha\e been the 
first P)isho]) of St. Asaph, to whom several works of tlieolog\- are attributed. 

Ciirucii OF St. As.m-ii, \\.\i.\. LmvEU Mkimo.n. B\- Rev. Charles S. 
Olmsted, .S. T. I)., Rector. — In February, .\. I). 1888, a charter of incorjiora- 
tion was ai)pliod for by Messrs. George B. Roberts. T.nwcr Merion; John S. 
Gerhard, Oxerbrook; David Williams, Inda: Jacob L. Stadelman, Bala; 
Joseph R. Rhoads, ()\erbrook: R. Francis Wdod, .Merion; Robert Denison, 
r.,-da: The()])hilus P. Chandler. I'hiladelphia. ;uid Pcrcixal Roberts. Philadel- 
phia. On Alay 8th. in the same }-ear.the corner-stone of the beautiful church 
was laid by the Rt. Rev. O. W. Whilaker. D. D.. Bishop of Pennsylvania. 
Services were held in a lempoi-arv chapel for nearl}- a year b\- the Rev. li. .S. 
Watson, D. D., and were begun in the church March J4tli, 1889. -V vested 
choir was introduced at Easter, and on June 1st the Kew hrederick Burgess 
entered on his rectorship. The church was consecrated b}- Bisho]) Whitaker 
A])ril i_'th..\. 1). 1890, the sermon being ]>reache(l b}- the Re\-. S. I >. .McCon- 
nell, D. D., then rector of St. Stephen's Church. Philadelphia. The parish 



> 
o 

m 



> 




RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 21 

liouse was opened Octo1>er 6th, 1891. Tlie chancel window was Ijlessed in 
1893, and the soutli transept window, a memorial of John Roberts, first pro- 
prietor of the land on which the chnrch stands, and who died in 1724, was 
blessed in 1895. '^^^^ Rev. Frederick Bnrgess resigned in May. 1886, after 
a rectorship of rare snccess and blessing, greatlx" to the regret of all the con- 
gregation. He was sncceeded by the Rev. Charles S. (_)lmsted, S. T. D. 
(Hobart), on July ist, 1896. A rectory was presented to the ])arish, in 1889, 
by Mr. George B. Roberts. 

.Mthough the jiarish of St. Asaph is yet young, it alread}- is widely 
known as an example of good works. Its Sunday-school, numbering about 
150, gives }^early many hundreds of dollars to missions and other objects. 
Fully equipped for all its needs, with an endowment fund started and 
blessed with ready and generous helpers, and cared for by a devoted vestry; 
with high ideals of missionary and parochial effort, the parish looks forward, 
amid a growing population, to many long years of faithful work for Him 
in whose honor and to whose glory it was founded. 

I add to this sketch the following note; Dr. Olmsted was born at 
Olmstedville, N. Y., in 1853. Educated by the Rev. L. G. Olmsted, 
LL. D., and the Rev. S. B. Bostwick, D. D., and also at St. Stephen's Col- 
lege and the General Theological Seminary, incumbent of Trinity Chapel, 
Morley, N. Y., from 1876 to 1884. Rector of Christ Church, Cooperstown, 
N. Y., from 1884 to 1896. Archdeacon of the Susquehanna, 1886 to 1896. 
Besides numerous contributions in verse to American periodicals, he has 
written a lecture on the Creeds, in the New ^'o^k Church C'lub lectures of 

1895- 

William Binder Wilson gave a sketch of the life of Judge Logan, one 
of Bala's distinguished citizens, in the Fa. R. R. .Mcii'.s .X'rzi'.w August, A. D. 
1896. He is the general solicitor of the Pennsyhania Railroad. His Inrth- 
place was Westmoreland County, Pa., the date of his birth 1840. He was 
a successful lawyer in that county and the adjoining ones, and then a Judge. 
He resigned that high i)osition to assume that of assistant general solicitor, 
which he ably filled, and when Hon. John Scott retired in 1895 he was pro- 
moted to be his successor. The legal work of the railroad is immense, and 
this busy man shoulders vast responsibilities, which his intelligence and 
learning enable him to meet. 

In following City Ax'enue from Bala to Overbrook Station we pass the 
plea.sant countrx-seats of Mr. Hayes, Cyrus Chambers, and Mr. Godey on 
the west side. On the east side lie tliose of John B. Gest, John S. Gerhard, 
Es(|., Mrs. I'-dward L. Scull, and Daxid Scull, Escp 

The rural home of David Scull, called Leichtox Pl.vck, from the resi- 



22 RURAL PEXXSYIA'.IXIA. 

dence of the Sculls in Lci^hton Court, Herefordshire. luii^land. is parlicu- 
lar!\- beautiful by reason of the contour of tlie land, while old chestnuts and 
oaks adorn the ani])le lawn, some chestnut trees heintr the third generation, 
they ha\-ing- grown from the stumps of former ones. Artists and architects 
hax'C admired the nionarchs, which, standing by themselves, without being 
crowded, have de\elope(l most symmetrical shapes, while a fine collection of 
imported rhododendrons complete the picture. The chestnut trees in 
their second growth from one stump formed clumps of from two to seven. 
In a chmi]) of six there is a "crow's nest."' with stejis leading to it. and I 
noticed with pleasure, in the clump of seven that a lloor was laid, with a 
thatched roof over it. making a rustic summer house. 

The g'ranite of the neighborhood provided the stone which formed the 
dwelling, which is located on an eminence commanding a delightful \iew. 

On the side facing Overbrook Farms there are tastefully laid out gar- 
dens and extensive buildings, including houses for the coachman and gar- 
dener, a commodious coach-house and stable, and greenhouses; and various 
other buildings suited to a country place covering nineteen acres, which was 
the first purchase in the division of the old George estate. The house was 
erected in .\. D. i8~i, from plans by .\ddison Irlutton. 

Mr. Scull is a prominent mend)er of the Society of Friends. He was 
born in Sculltown (now Auburn). X. ]. He is a graduate of Flaverford Col- 
lege, and is very prominent in the management of Haverford and Rryn 
JNIawr Colleges, being Vice-President of the last-named institution, and he 
is interested in man_\- charitable and philanthropic institutions. His son, 
William Kllis Scull, and his wife and ilaughter form a part of the famil\-. 

OvKUHKOOK AND ( ) VKUKKooK Faums make a beautiful immediate 
suburb to the city, and the bright and fresh ai)i)earance of luiiformlx' fine 
stone dwellings of attractive architecture, with am]de yards and excellent 
walks, shows the large ca|>ital thai has been freelv poured out to lure citi- 
zens countrvward. 

A (|naint and pretty stone office hard b\- the rail\\a\- station is the seat 
of the work of the ( )\ ei'brook I'arms Compan\-. which has largelv accom- 
plished this work. \\\'ndell i^' Smith are managers. Edward T. Stotesbury 
is President and \\ alter B. Smith. Secretary. Overbrook Farms was oj^ened 
up about three _\ears ago. In additinn tn the houses named in these 
notes th.it nf .Messrs. I'ettil X: jiacon deserves mention as beautiful, with- 
out and within, and attractive to the ]>asser-by by reason of the (lowers ever 
adorning the front window. 

( )\erbrook I'arms was owned by the John M. (leorge estate. ;ind 
was bought in .\. 1). iSi)3. and changed from ]i;isture land into a collection 




GuAV Au^iU- ., Ki ;i:.:. 1, .-; Mamik Liiiii.K S. Bent. 




Redruth Manse, Resideni.'e of U. S. Gkant Mkgarc.ee. 



Page 26. 



RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 25 

of beautiful homes. Tlie ground is high, and the old trees have lieen pre- 
served witli care, so tliat a Colonial house, though new, appears at home in 
ancient surroundings, and an old orchartl serves a new family. 

The old George Homestead is one of the striking features of Over- 
brook, as it stands in (piiet dignity among its modern neighbors. The 
owners were relati\es of Jesse and Rebecca George, who presented eighty- 
three acres of ground, including George's Hill, to Fairmount Park. The 
George family had owned George's Hill for generations, and Mr. George, in 
presenting the property, refpiested that the name of the beautiful eminence 
with its wide view might be preserved. George's Hill is a mile from Over- 
brook. Carriages stop here, and pedestrians linger to gaze on the magnifi- 
cent stretch of town and country, reaching to League Island and the Dela- 
ware River. 

Samuel \. Boyle, Esq., the genial Assistant District Attorney of Phil- 
adelphia, dwells in a house at Overljrook which was designed by Chester H. 
Ivirk. It is on Sherwood Road, and is constructed of gray stone. Mr. 
Boyle was born at Gloucester Furnace, near Atlantic City, N. J., and edu- 
cated in the public schools of Philadelphia until eleven years old. and since 
that time by great energy has developed powers which have given him a 
high position. He is a memlier of the Union League. He was the Ex- 
ecutive Clerk of Governor Beaver from January, A. D. 1877, to June, 1888, 
and has been Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia from June, A. D. 
1888, until the present time. He has written some articles on elementary 
astronomy for the public prints. }ilrs. Boyle is the daughter of Edward T. 
Howison, formerly of Washington, D. C. but now of Philadelphia. The 
Howison family have been largely connected with the United States Navy, 
Mr. E. T. Howison's eldest brother, Henry L. Howison, being now a Com- 
modore. 

Gr.w Akciies. — The residence of Major Luther S. Bent, on the 
Drexel Road, l)ears this appropriate name by reason of its manv arches. 
This was the first house built by Wendell & Smith at Overbrook on the 
north side of the railway track. This is the oldest house on the tract, ex- 
cept the old George House, which is a century or two ahead of it. The 
architects were Boyd & Boyd. The house was erected four years ago, and 
])urchased by Mr. Bent in .\pril, .V. D. 1895. The material is stone in the 
first story and brick al)ove. The stable is a very hue building, correspond- 
ing to the design of the house. Mr. Bent was born in Ouincv, ^Mass., and 
educated in the public schools there. He was in the Northern army in the 
war of the Rebellion four years, and rose from the ])(>st of private to Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel. Pie entered as a ])nvate from Massachusetts in .\. D. 



26 RURAL PENNSVLJ'.-iXIA. 

i8f)i. At the close of tlie war lie was connected witli the Ixiililiny of tlie 
Union Pacific Railroad in various positions throughout the time of its con- 
struction, making his home in Omaha, Nebraska. He then came East and 
was connected with the Pennsylvania Steel Company as Manager, and then 
\'ice-F*resident, and afterward President. He is I'resident of the Steelton 
National Bank and the Steelton Flouring Mill Company and other business 
institutions in that section of the State. He is also prominently connected 
with electric railways in that region. 

The History of Dauphin County, Pa., by Dr. \\'m. If. Egle, State Li- 
brarian, gives a sketch of Major Bent's history, with a portrait, pp. 560, 5()i. 
It traces his farm life and his employment with the New England Glass 
Company. He was engaged in raising cattle after closing the railroad 
work, being "one of the pioneers'" in ranches on the railway in Nebraska. 
He married S. M. Felton's daughter. 'Sir. Felton was the President 
of the P., W. & B. R. R., and a brother of President Felton, of Harvard 
L'niversit}'. 

U. S. Grant ]\Iegargee's place is called Riodrttth IManse. The name 
is borrowed from an English mansion. The house lies on the Dre.xel Road. 
It is built of stone, with a red slate roof. The light stone contrasts prettily 
with the roof. Mv. ]\legargee settled in Oxerbrook in A. D. 1893. He is 
connected with the paper firm of Irvin N. Megargee & Comijanw long and 
.well-known in commercial circles in I'hiladeljihia, the second generation 
now continuing the business formerly conducted by fr\in N. Megargee, Sr. 

Frederick Mc( )wen's place lies in Overbrook I'arnis. The house is on 
Drexel Road, at the corner of Fift_\-ninth Street. \\ endell & Smith were 
the contractors, l)ut the building was erected by .Mr. McOwen from the 
plans of Thomas P. Lonsdale, the architect for the I'liiladelpliia Imilding at 
the World's Fair at Chicago. It is of stone, in Colonial style, with a 
Grecian extension ])orch and a frt)nt porch and dormer-windows. The \iew 
commands the Delaware River rmd X'ew Jersey, as the ])oint is a high loca- 
tion. Mr, .McOwen was born in I )ublin. Ireland, though of Scotch descent. 
He was educated in ^)0.-^ton, and came to Philadelphia in .\. 1). 1869, 
where he has since been in the coal business, now ])eing the Treasurer of tlie 
lierwind-W'hite Coal Mining Conipan_\'. He is also Treasurer of the Spring 
Garden InstitiUe. He was married in Philadelphia in iSiij lo I'Jizabetli C'. 
Simons, daughter of Samuel Simons, a well known niercliruU in that cit\', 
of the lirni of Thomas <K: Martin. 

W. S. Taylor's residence is one of the beautiful new houses built b\- 
Wendell iV .^niilh of neighbdrhood stone, with a slate roof. .Mr. 'i'avlor 
resides here all the year, doing business in riiiladelplii;i. 




KK-MMi-N'. L UV Fri.ULKI^. K Mi.U\VKN. 



Page 26. 



,1k 




ft5:jS/^ 




Residence of W. S. Taylor. 



Page 26. 



RURAL PEA'NSYLl'AXUA. 29 

Church of Orit Lady of LoritDES. By Rev. James A. MuUin. — 
Prior to the year 1894 the Catholics of Overbrook and vicinity attended 
mass for the most part at St. Cliarles' Seminary. In that year tlie Over- 
!)rook Farms Company, with commendable foresight, seeing that a Catholic 
Church would hasten the growth of the settlement, offered the Archbishop 
a site on which to build a church. The lot is a triangular piece of ground, 
containing about two-thirds of an acre, situated at the intersection of 
Sixty-third Street, Woodbine Avenue, and Lancaster Avenue. As they 
made this gift from a business and not a charitable motix'C, they imposed 
certain conditions with it, viz., that the church should be built of stone; 
that it should cost at least $25,000, and be completed e.xteriorl\- in one 
year. His (jrace, .\rchbishop I'Jyan. accepted the gift with the conditions 
attached, and on the joth of April, 1894, appointed Rev. James A. Mullin 
to build the new church, and to take charge of the congregation. The 
territorv assigned him extends from Fifty-sixth Street, on the east, to 
W'vnnewood, inclusi\e, on the west, antl from State Road, on the north, to 
Jetterson Street, on the south. A large territory, but a small parish, as 
it contained in the l)eginning only 300 souls. Father Mullin immediately 
entered upon the work of raising funds for the building of the new church. 
The generous offer of Rev. Daniel O'Connor, of St. Agatha's Church, to 
hold a fair in his parish was gladly accepted, and by this means $7,000 was 
collected for the new parish. This sum, together with collections taken up 
in other parishes, enabled Father Alullin to begin the work. On the jotli 
of October, 1894, ground was broken for the new church; on the first 
Sunday of May, 1895, the corner-stone was laid by Archbishop Ryan, as- 
sisted by numerous priests and students of St. Charles' Seminarv, Rev. 
Thomas F. Kennedy. D. D., of St. Charles' Seminary, preaching the sermon. 
Towards the end of August, 1895, the exterior of the building and the in- 
terior of the basement were completed at a cost of $32,000. and 
on the 8th of September, 1895, the feast of the Nativity of the B. \'. 
Mary, the basement of the church was blessed b\- Archbishop Ryan, as- 
sisted l)y \'ery Re\-. Edward F. Prendergast. V. G., and a number of priests 
and students of St. Charles' Seminary. In March, 1896, a few months after 
completing the work of the church, Father Mullin began the building of a 
pastoral residence, which was completed on the ist of October, 1896, at a 
cost of $10,200. Both church and house are built of Port Deposit granite, 
with trinmiings of Indiana limestone. The church is English Gothic, and 
is ])ronounced one of the most beautiful examples of church architecture in 
Philadelphia. It is 108 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 80 feet at the transept. 
It will seat 650 people. The architect was Mr. Thomas B. Lonsdale and 



30 RURAL PEXXSYU'.iXlA. 

the Imilder Mr, 'I'lunnas Ivcilly. It is titting to aild some notes concerning 
tiie faithful priest who erected this church. 

Rev. James A. Mullin. the founder and lirst pastor of tlie church, uas 
horn in the County Tyrone, Ireland, in the year 1859. When he was hve 
years old his parents emigrated to .\merica. and settled at Philadelphia. 
He received his education in the public schools and at La Salle College. 
Philadelphia. He entered St. Charles" Seminary. 0\erbrook, to study for 
the priesthood in September, 1876, and after completing his studies was 
ordained priest by Archbishop Ryan on the 11th of January. 1885. His 
first mission was St. Bridget's Church. Then he was stationed at St. I'at- 
rick's, Norristown. the Sacred Heart. St. Stephen's, and St. Agatha's, 
Philadelphia. It was while he was assistant at St. Agatha's that he received 
the appointment to Iniilil the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. 

Charles E. Pugh's residence near 0\erbrook Station is surrounded 
b\- aniijle gromids. embracing a wootleil lawn. The stone house is adorned 
and made more comfortable by a [liazza. The interior woodwork is pretty. 
A summer house under the trees has an inviting look. A stone gateway 
is another feature of this pleasant country seat. 

Mr. Pugh's busy life is sketched in "The ^Makers of Philadelphia." pub- 
lished by L. R. Hamersly & Co., and edited by C'harles Mcjrris. where his 
l)ortrait is given. 

Charles Iidnumd Pugh, Second \'ice-President of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad, also finds an able biographer in the \etcran railway man, my his- 
toric friend. Win. P. Wilson, author of the History of the Emmanuel 
Church, Holmesburg. and that man is happy who falls under his pen. We 
will glean from his-lield in the Pa. R. R. Men's AVrvvs- ( Xov.. 1895). 

Mr. Pugh claims Lniomille, in Chester County. Pa., as his birthplace. 
He is the son of "a member of the Societ}' of Eriends. named h'lijah Pugh, 
a man of proi)it\'. and in business a merchant and transi)orter. " 

The district school trained the son. and the Millers\ille State Xormal 
School continued his education. There he was gradu;ited. entering the 
office of his father for a business education, which has pro\ed of \alue to 
him, and the corporation he lias ably served since 1859. He commenced 
railway life at \'ewi)ort. in Perry Count \, I 'a., and showed .ability and care 
in the performance of duty, drawing attentidii to his _\inuhful merit. He 
was promoted to the Transportation Department, .ind passed through 
various elevations with practical service until, in 1893. he attained his 
present high oflice. i le has always nobly borne the weight laid on his will- 
ing shoulders, and the Centennial !"'\hibitit)n. in 1876, tested his power. 
The crowds who moved o\er the rails then little thought of the intense care 




Church of Our Lady of Lourdes. 



Page 29. 




UVLKBKUUK. SlOKtS — G. W. LAhKliKlV ^1 bw.N. 



RURAL PENNSYLI'ANIA. 33 

and skill needed to preserve their Ii\es and limbs. The work exceeded any- 
thing that had preceded it, but the organizer was familiar with his giant 
task. No one man in America had ever faced such an undertaking, but the 
good Latin motto runs: ""riiey can. because they think they can." and a 
man nuist believe in himself, trusting in (iod and keeping his powder dry, 
as Cromwell said. Like Napoleon, this man knew men, and their capaci- 
ties, and a marvelous success followed, drawing the attention of railroad 
men here and abroad. (Iver 3.000,000 passengers were handled, "and so 
admirably had he arranged for the comfort anrl safet\' of the peo])le that not 
one accident occurred." 

Railroading is a science with Mr. Pugh, and trans]iortation has de- 
veloped under his care. Lxperience has taught him details. "Magnetic 
in manner, and gentle in speech, he attracts men to him, and binds them 
with unbreakable cords. These qualities have on many, and some anxious 
occasions, been of great service to the company's interest, when his strong 
individuality has brought about the solution of knott\'. if not serious, prob- 
lems." 

Under such men an arnn- of faithful souls toil who fleserve a word of 
praise. The outcry that follows a railway accident does not make enough 
allowance for human inlirmit\-, and a man who for twentv vears has done 
splendid service may make a momentary error. When we hear the whistle 
on a stormy winter night, as we are comfortab]\- in bed. let us remember 
the toiler at his engine, guarding the lives of his passengers. 

OvEitBUooK AND LowKK ]\Ikkiox. — David Morgan was the son of 
William H. ^Morgan, of Welsh descent. He died in 1863. at the age of 
eighty-three, his wife ha\'ing died six }ears before. They were l)uried in a 
\ault in Christ Churcli gravex'ard, at Fifth and .\rch Streets, in Philadel- 
phia. P)Oth were members of that ancient Episcopal Church. 

David Morgan was born in A. D. 181 7, in Philadelphia, and followed 
his father's occupation as manufacturer of gold leaf, which he conducted 
on the farm of his father, at Flat Rock Heights, but in 1844 he moved to 
a point on the Blockley & Merion Turnpike, not far from Merion Station. 
In 1846 Rev. H. G. Jones, pastor of the Lower Merion Baptist Church, 
married him to Catharine H., the daughter of Abraham Levering. His 
children are Emma C who married William Simpson, Jr., of Philadelphia, 
and I'^'uniie, who died in 1875, and I^avid, who died when an infant. 

Mr. Morgan moved in a few years to the "lH)mestead farm," transact- 
ing business, however, in Philadelphia. He has been Secretary and Treas- 
urer of the Blockle}- & Merion Turnpike Company. He was an original 
member of the Church of the Redeemer, Br\n Mawr, and on the Buildino- 



34 RURAL PEXXSVLJ'AXIA. 

Committee. He was at the meeting held for oro-anization in Temperance 
Hall, when Bishoj) Alonzo Potter preached the first sermon to that con- 
gregation. 

IXOEBOltii. — The late William .Simpson. Jr., the well-known manu- 
facturer of Eddystone, near Chester. Pa., owned this beautiful residence, 
with its German name, built in Elizabethan st_\-le. with its i\y-clad gables, 
and well-kept lawn and splendid view. An open hall discloses a gallery 
above. Mr. Simpson moved his manufactory from the Falls of Schuylkill to 
I-ldchstone. as his old property was embraced in I'^airnuumt Park. His 
widow resides at Ingeborg. The mansion was erectetl bv Mr. Simpson 
twelve years ago. The fireplaces are a striking feature. 

William Perc_\- Simpson is a son of William Simpson, jr. ilis i)retty 
rural home is named Lynedoch. Its low rustic wall stretches along the 
road. Pretty open woods on a knoll on Lancaster Pike mark Mr. Simpson's 
property. A natural terrace is a pleasing variation in the surface of the 
ground. On the stone gate-])OSts the name of the jilace is inscribed. The 
house is on a prominent position. It is of stone, with a jiiazza. 

Mr. Sea\er, father-in-law of William Percy Simpson, dwells in a house 
at this point. 

Thomas Morrison's jirojierty. occu])ied by Mr. Keimeih'. has a creek 
rumiiup' through the ground. The Lancaster Pike passes over rolling 
ground between Overbrook and Merion. The station at Overbrook was 
over a brook, wliich has disappeared. This is the cii\' line. 

.\ prett\' stone Presl)vterian Church, with a spire, stands at the corner 
of Cit\ A\"enue and the Lancaster Tnrn])ike. Rev. Charles 1\. l^rdman 
is the pastor. He has accejited a call to the First Presb_\terian Church, 
Germantown. 'I'his is his first ]iarish, where he has remained seven years. 
I'or three vears or more he has been in charge of the (ios])el Meetings of 
the Pennsylvania Railroad iiranch of the ^'. M. C. A., with an audience 
sometimes of 1,400, the majority being men. TIk' church was built in 
A. 1). iS(jo, on ground ])resented by W istar .Morris. The land formerly 
belonged to the John M. George estate. 

Cit\- Axenue runs southward from Lancaster Pike. It is hea\ily 
wooded. The cit\ of Phi!adel]diia lies on one side, and Lower .Merion 
Township, in Montgomery County, on the other side. The city here has 
a rustic a])pearance, and the old song woidd not hold good that one could 
not see the town for the houses. 

llow nnich more beruuiful would 1 'iiiladel])hia be to-day if we could 
pull down its buildings, and destroy its forced grades. ;md gi\e the old 
creeks and woods their wood and water rights again, when the Indi.an loved 





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1 '• 


■,\\ ■ 










1 

1 




"• 



w 
o 




RURAL PENNSYIJ-ANIA. 37 

their wild havints, and when I'enn first looked on tiiem. Bnt we cannot 
qo liackward. and heanty \ieltls to use in tliis practical world. 

Col)l)'s Creek, with its little dam, enlivens the road along which we are 
riding. 

Mr. Kennedy's stable for 250 cows, and a stone farm-house are a speci- 
men of countr_\- life. Miss Jane Morris's ancestral family seat is on the left. 
A magnificent new house is under construction here. The position com- 
mantls a sjjlendid \-iew from the roof. An ancient stone Ijuilding was the 
former mansion. The new building is a gray stone edifice, with a porte- 
cochere. Mr. Fielding is the architect. 

Beyond the Morris place on City Line are the residences of Mr. Carter 
and of Ellis Yarnali. 

At the entrance of Sixty-fifth Street a new hotel is about to be 
built. 

Joseph B. Townsend, Jr., the son of Joseph B. Townsend, lives on City 
Avenue in a pleasant stone dwelling, with a grove in the rear, adjoining 
his father's place, which is well wooded, with roses to welcome one with 
fragrance and beauty on a June day. The name of the place is Blancoyd.. 

The solid house oi the father, with its ])a\'-win(l()ws, shows a comforta- 
ble abode. A grand oak tree, with wide-spreading limbs, has owmed a piece 
of the ground for many years, whatever human tenants may claim. A rus- 
tic seat beneath it in\ites repose in summer, and may remind one of balmy 
airs if seen in winter. This ])lace is called "Gre\-stone," and Ijore that name 
Ijefore Saiuuel J. Tilden applied it to his home. 

The son's place is named Raynham. The house is of stone, with a 
red roof, and gables and window balcony. 

The Seminary of St. Charles Borromeo, on its lofty site, is in full view 
from this point. It can also be seen from the West Chester Pike, especially 
at the Reese Flower Observatory of the University of Pennsylvania. 

The following oljituary is from the Philadelphia Press, October nth, 
A. D. 1896: 

"Joseph B. Tow.nsexu died at Greystone, his home on City Avenue, 
at half-past 7 this morning. Fie had been confined to his home for several 
months before his death. 

"Mr. Townsend was born near Baltimore, Md., on December 13th, 
1821. His early school days were spent at Marshallton, Chester County, 
and he afterward attended Bolmar's School, a noted place of learning at 
that time in West Chester, ^^'hen about twenty years old he went to Phil- 
adelphia, and entered the office of Eli K. Price. He never attended law 
school, but became the trusted assistant of Lawyer Price. The real estate 



38 . RURAL PENXSYU'/iNIA. 

department was Mr. Townscnd's specialty, and previous to tlie organization 
of the title and trust companies he was known as one of the best real estate 
lawyers in Philadelphia. .\t his death he was president of the Jefferson 
Medical College, one of the managers of the Western Savings Fund Society, 
a director of the PennsyKania Hospital, and counsel for many of the title 
and trust companies. He was one of the original memhers of the L'nion 
Club, and one of the very few surviving members of that organization out 
of which the jjresent l'nion League of Philadelphia was formed. He was 
also one of the founders of the latter club. He was also chancellor of the 
Law Association of Philadelphia. About three years ago the University 
of Pennsylvania conferred on Mr. Townsend the title of LL. D. He is 
sur\ived bv a widow and four sons. James P. Townsend, Joseph B. Town- 
send, Jr., J. Barton Townsend, and Charles C. Townsend." 

CoRKERHiLL. — Corkcrhill is the name of Frank Thomson's country 
seat on Union Avenue. It is a stone house, and there is a conservatory 
near it. The light-colored woodwork and prett_\- porch and pleasant had 
are noteworthy features. 

The name Corkerhill is that of a Scotch family connected witli the 
famil}- of Mr. Thomson. The mansion was built about eight years ago by 
the present owner. "The Cabin" is a shingled rustic building for recreation. 
Furness, Evans & Co. were the architects of the present building. A 
former house was burned. Fine chestnut trees extend their heads high in 
the air in the lawn, and a large (lower garden and a good stable complete 
the picture. A fine hedge runs along Union Avenue, and a gro\-e oi trees 
gives a rural a])])earance to the place, 

" Willi green trees y»hadewed," 

as Chaucer expresses it in the Prologue to the Canterbur\- Tales. 

Frank Thomson. — William 1!. Wilson gives a lengthy sketch of this 
gentleman's life in the PcuiiSYl7'(nii(i luiilnxul Men's .\'r:\.'s ( .\()\eni1)er. iS<)5). 
which I will condense. 

Mr. Thomson is the T^resident of the I^ennsybania Railroad. His 
birth])lace was Cliambersburg, Pa., his father being If on. Alexander Thom- 
son, LL. I).. ;i member of Congress, who served the District of Columbia 
so faithfullv as one of the Connnittee of Affairs "that the Commissioners had 
his ])ortrail painted and hung in their hall in Washington." He was Presi- 
dent Judge in I'ennsyUania. and a Professor in the Law School of Marshall 
College. 

His son studied in the excellent Chamberslnirg .\cademy. and at seven- 
teen entered the Alloona shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Thomas A. 
Scott guided his studies, but he stood upon his own feet. 




->^- 



^.^:^ 






%^'*^ 





Theolugicai. Skminarv i>k St. Charles Hukkomed. 




The Grange, Residence of the Ashhurst Family. 



Page 57. 



RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 41 

In the Rebellion he aided Mr. Scott in the military railways and tele- 
o^raphs. Alexandria, Mrginia, was the scene of his responsible work in 
this line before he was twenty years old. Here he raised a locomotive "lost 
overboard duriiiij;' the storm, and laid in twenty-five feet of water." 

Mr. Thomson met railway war emergencies with skill when the Gov- 
ernment was in danger, and was kind to his workmen, sharing their burdens, 
and caring for sick and wounded. He toiled in Tennessee to keep the rail- 
wav in repair, and marcheil with General Buell through that State. His 
after-work in the South was a wonderful success. 

Mr. Thomson guided the tour of the Russian Grand Duke Alexis for 
"over 6,000 miles in the United States and Canada" without one mishap. 

In 1874 he Ijecame General Manager of the Pennsylvania Railway 
"system east of Pittslnirg and Erie, succeeding that able and astute railroad 
engineer and manager, A. J. Cassatt." 

In 1882 Mr. Thomson received the appointment of Second Vice-Presi- 
dent; and in 1888 that of First Vice-President, and in 1897, after the death 
of George B. Roberts, he was elected President. 

Home and foreign trade and travel require nuich tact in their manage- 
ment, and this officer has displayed the needed qualities for such work. His 
broad mind is fitted for organization and foresight, and his action 
is rapid. 

Literature and art are not forgotten in the pressure of the life of this 
busy man. His personal interest in railway men leads him to serve them 
heartily when needful. 

Mr. Ferrar, a lawyer, resides on Union Avenue, next to Frank Thom- 
son's place. He has a cheerful home, with its bright bed of flowers and cozy 
piazza. 

John Marston, son of Admiral John Marston, lives here in a stone 
house, with its piazza for summer shade. This is one of the older resi- 
dences, with a neat lawn, and the woodbine on the light iron fence gratifies 
the passing traveler. 

The Admiral conmianded the squadron at Fort Monroe when the "Mer- 
rimac" came out and destroyed the "Cumberland" and "Congress," and, 
disobeying his orders from the Department, instead of sending the "Moni- 
tor" the following day to Washington, he ordered Captain Worden to at- 
tack the "Merrimac," the result of which fight was that the rest of the fleet 
were saved, and Baltimore spared the almost certainty of a successful bom- 
bardment, which might have resulted in the acknowledgment of the Con- 
federacy by France and England. 

Opposite, on Union Avenue, is ^Ir. Stanton's Colonial house, which 



42 RVR.-IL rnXXSYLVANlA. 

sliows a liay-window of old stxle. with lieautifiil i\v runniiiL;- imdernealh 
it and rdong tlie wall. Nature's adornment is ever ])leasant. 

Mr. Cresswell's house, with its pleasant lawn, is next to that of Mr. 
Stanton, northward. 

Next, on the north, comes the ahode of Mr. Benst)n. the father-in-law 
of Joseph L). Townsend. Jr. A vine-clad ]Mazza here is a refreshing 
siglit on a summer day. 

And now Captain Joseph Lapsley W ilson's house is next to Ije noticed 
going still to the north. He was formerly Commander of the City Troop. 
A fine hedge and shaded lawn here appear. The dwelling is a double- 
gabled gray stone mansion, and the effect of the exterior view is ])leasing. 
An ample double-door, with two knockers, in ancient st\le, recalls former 
times. There is a pretty porch, .-md a bay-window in the second story. 
The fine lawn is well-shaded in front, and ojien on the side of the house, and 
adorned with flower beds. 

C)p])osite is Mr. Webster's cheerful house. Iniilt of wood, of a vellow 
color. 

Then the old resident and well-known ph\sician. Dr. Lodge, dwells on 
Union A\enue. 

John W. LoikU-; was born in Lower Merion in A. D. 1S38. In early 
youth he attended the old Lower Merion Academy Public School, and was 
prepared for college at Bohnar's School in ^\'est Chester. He graduated 
at the Medical College of South Carolina in .\. I). 1X59, and ser\-ed for one 
vear as I'iesident l'h\sician in the Philadel|>]iia lIos])ital. He was assistant 
to the Professor of Medicine in Jefferson Medical College, and engaged in 
lecturing to private classes in the Philadelphia School of Anatomy until 
the beginning of tlie l'i\il War, He was commissioned Surgeon of the 
Second Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserve Cor]is, in June, T8r)i. He was 
sent to Easton, Pa., l:)y Governor Curtin to build and organize the first 
military hospital in Pennsyl\-ania, ;md afterwards ser\-ed for a time on the 
staff of .Major-Cieneral Reynolds. In i8()2-r)3 he was execiUive officer of 
the b'nited States Ceneral Hos])ital at lIeston\ille, then in charge of the 
late eminent surgeon, D. Hayes .\gnew. In 1X114 he was elected one of 
the consulting surgeons of the Philadelphia IIosi)ital. He has practiced 
URMlicine in Lower Merion since tlu- close of the war. .\t |)resent he is one 
of the company plnsicians, holding the ])ost for man\- \e;u"s. ;nid one of the 
consulting physicians of the Pryn Mawr Hospital. 

Other Phvsiciaxs. — Dr. Jonathan Clark was an eminent ])hysician 
who ])racticed in Lower Merion for many years. He was among the first, 
if not the first, to use ether for the relief of pain in parturition, and his pub- 



RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 45 

lislied writing's show thorough knowledge of tlie suliject as then under- 
stood: indeed, he was in advance of liis time in api)reciating the advantages 
to follow. He graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1828, and 
died in 1869. 

Dr. William Thomson, now the distinguished Professor of Ophthalmol- 
ogy in the Jefferson Medical College, practiced medicine in Lower Merion, 
and afterwards served with distinction as surgeon in the regular army dur- 
ing the Civil War. 

Dr. L. M. Service was another highly respected physician, who prac- 
ticed medicine in Lower Merion: he was very popular, and died a few years 
ago, \'ery mucli lamented l)y his nmnerous patients and the community. 

F. Hires is on Highland A\-enue, having purchased a fine property for- 
merly belonging to Lincoln Codfrey. The mansion, with its red roof, is 
a pretty picture. 

Mr. Harrison's place is occufMed l)y Mr. Conlin. 

We now strike the old Lancaster Road, wdiich runs out of Philadel- 
phia from Fifty-second Street and Lancaster Avenue. 

On the new Lancaster Pike Mr. Keeley has an old country house, and 
the ha-ha wall makes a pretty finish to the grounds. 

RosR Hii.L. — This country seat lies at the corner of Montgomery and 
Union Avenues. The appellation came from a former owner named Rose, 
though under the present owner so many roses have been cultivated the 
name may have a double meaning. 

Jerome Keeley purchased this property over six years ago. There are 
al)out four and a half acres. This is a portion of the large old farm belong- 
ing to the Latch family, whose descendants reside in a farm-house on the 
opposite side of the road. 

The Latch Farm covered several hundred acres, touching Bala and Citv 
Line. 

Mr. Franciscus, of Philadelphia, owned a tract which embraced the 
present propert}' and about three and a half additional acres for many }ears. 
\\'illiam G. Huey afterward owned the whole ]iroi)erty. 

Mr. Keeley purchased four and a half acres, including all the Ijuildings. 

Mr. Keeley's residence was the original Latch farm-house of stone, 
wliicli has \ery thick walls. It was burned many years ago, and rebuilt 
by the Latch family. It was altered and remodeled in the ownership of 
William (i. Huey, a part of the addition being of wood. Modern conveni- 
ences are liere aft'orded b_\- hot writer, heat, and open grates in all rooms for 
wood or coal. The interior finish eml)races several kinds of bard wood, in- 
cluding cherr\-, oak, and s\xamore. 



46 RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 

Many ancient trees of various kinds indicate the good taste of the 
Latch family, while Messrs. Huey and Keeley have added to the collection, 
and the last-named gentleman has placed fruit trees on the ground. 

Some of the spruce trees are over seventy feet high, and deciduous ever- 
greens abound, one beiny so high that it mav ])C seen for miles, and forms 
a tree-mark, rather than a land-mark. A Spanish chestnut also stands in 
Spanish pride and dignity to assert its ancient pedigree. One of the oldest 
white magnolia trees in the country ornaments the place. A native chest- 
nut hi lids its head above the Spanish chestnut, and claims an age of over 
two hundred and twenty-five years. This is mentioned in title papers as 
a land-mark. It stands by the wall in front of the house. 

Mr. Keeley is a native of I^hoenixville. He graduated as a mining and 
mechanical engineer, in A. D. i86j, at the Polytechnic College, and has 
been engaged in the iron and steel business since that time. He was 
under nineteen years of age at graduation, and immediately took charge of 
three l)last furnaces in Phoenix ville. but. in iSAq, came to Philadelphia, and 
eneaped in the manufacture of iron. 

Mr, William Simpson, Jr., has an extensive and fine place at the comer 
of New Lancaster Pike and Highland Avenue. The house is a costly one, 
designed by T. P. Chandler. 

]\lr. Plarris, on Highland Avenue, now retired from l)usiness, is of the 
firm George S. Harris & Sons, Printers. 

Mr. McGeorge's place is seen on the hill on Montgomery Avenue. 

The old Potts place is occupied by Miss .\mbruster. who now owns the 
estate. The newly-mown grass in numded licaj^s presents a harvest scene 
on these extensive grounds. 

Colonel Wendell P. Bowman li\es nn Montgomery Avenue. His 
mansion looks like the ]\lount A'ernon house on the Potomac. It is a 
double-storied dwelling, with i)illars. .\ large open lawn spreads in front 
of it. An ancient tree is lo\ingly ])reser\ed at the gate. 

Members of the Bowm;in faniil\- h;i\-e long li\etl near Andalusia. 

Elm II.M.i, (Montgomery and I'.ownian .\\enues). — The elm trees 
standing for centiu'ies in aboriginal grandeur give name to this countr_\-seat. 

Colonel Wendell P. Powman's ancestors were of Derbyshire. England; 
the famil\ homestead is called "( )ne .\sli." in honor of an old ash-tree in 
front of the mansion. 

The liowmans hold a coat-of-arms exceeding in age all but one in Eng- 
land. They were upholders of Charles 1, and doubtless originally archers, 
as the crest contains a stump with arrows in the (piixer. and the motto, 
"Eormerh- 1i\- these arms we conciuered." 



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RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 49 

Tlie great-great-grandfatlier of the Colonel came to America in A. D. 
1760, being" a Friend, and settled in Phikulelphia. He purchased a large 
tract and country-seat in Lower Alerion in 1769, and had a tannery on the 
estate. 

Bowman's Bridge, on the road opposite the place, covered the Colum- 
bia Railway — one of the earliest railroads in the countr)-. 

I'he title to Elm Hall has always continued in the Bowman family. 
The original owner left one son, named Henry, and his son Henry was the 
father of Colonel Bowman. 

Colonel Bowman was educated in Benjamin Rush's School, in Phila- 
delphia, and other pri\-ate schools. 

Bowman Avenue was so-called because the title to the property was 
one of the most ancient in the country. 

Colonel Wendell P. Bowman's life is sketched in the Second Series of 
"Prominent Pennsylvanians." pp. 11 5- 120. 

He was born in Byberry. Philadelphia, being the soti of Henry and 
Grace Bowman. His great-grandfather, Roger Bowman, came to Phila- 
delphia in A. D. 1754, from the ancient homestead, "One Ash." in Derby- 
shire, England. He was a Eriend. and a merchant in Philadelphia. He 
married Margaret Johnson, of the old well-known Germantown family. 

Roger Bowman's home was called "Juniper Bank." and is now the 
Colonel's abode. The Bowmans are connected by marriage with John 
Comly, the author, and Rev. Dr. Bartine. 

Wendell P. Bowman was educated in the Benjamin Rush and the P)y- 
berry Eriends' School. In the i)eginning of the Southern war he became 
a drummer-l)oy in the Byberry CJuards. and at fifteen was admitted as a 
soldier, and for years was disabletl. as a result of his brave _\-outhful military 
work and exposure. He studied law under George H. Earle and Richard 
P. White, and has been very successful in his profession, having quite a 
reputation as an orator. He was active in military service in the Pittsburg 
riots. "He has served as Judge Adxocate General of the Dejiartment of 
Pennsyh-ania." He is a prominent leader in the Republican party, though 
not seeking office. Plis wife is the daughter of Thomas Shields ^Malcolm, a 
Baptist author and divine of note in Philadelphia, the son of Rev. Dr. How- 
ard Malcolm. President of Georgetown College, Kentucky, and the Uni- 
versity of Lewisburg, and, "at the time of his death. President of Hahne- 
mann Medical College." Her mother was Miss Van Dyke, of Princeton. 
N. J., "whose uncle. Dr. James Carnahan, was President of Princeton Col- 
lege for forty years." 

Mr. Haywood's farm, opening on Manayunk .Avenue, with its pleasant 



so RURAL PEXXSVU\4XIA. 

house, joins the property of St. John's Episcopal Church. Re\-. Henry 
A. F. Hoyt is the i^resent Rector of tiiat churcli. 

The foHowinq; extract is from the Piihlic Ledger, of Tliiladelphia. (^cto- 
l)er Jist, A. D. 189O: 

"October 20tli. — Tlie thirty-third anui\ersar_\' of tlie consecration of 
the St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church, at Merionville, was celebrated 
to-day. The sermon this evening was delivered by the Rev. Benjamin W^at- 
son, who is Chairman of the Standing Committee of this diocese. Other 
rectors of neighboring parishes who assisted in the service to-night were 
Rev. James Haughton, of the Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr; the 
Rev. \V. \V. Steele, of St. Mary's, Ardmore: Rev. John R. ]\Ioses, of St. 
Mary's, Wayne, and Rev. Charles S. Olmsted, of St. Asaph's, at Bala, and 
the ])resent Rector of this cluu-ch, Rev. H. A. F. Hoyt. 

"The first service held in this church was on the occasion of the Na- 
tional Thanksgiving Day, in August, 1S63, appointed by President Lincoln 
as a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving to God for the success of the Union 
anuies, after the battles of \'icksburg and Gettysburg. The building was 
consecrated shortlv after this, the sermon being preached by the Rev. Dr. 
Phillips Brooks, who afterwards became Bishop Brooks. This was while 
Bishop Potter was overseer of this diocese. Rev. George Enilen Hare, 
who at that time resided in this vicinity, had charge of the church mitil the 
first rector. Rev. F. E. Arnokl, was appointed." 

In riding along Montgomery Avenue there is seen the noble building 
of the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy. 

We enter MiOKio.x AviONiio. — The houses of Mr. Thomas and Mr. 
Thorn are j^assed. In the latter the timber work is shown outside as in 
Swiss and English dwellings. A prominent chinmey, and broken gabled 
slate roof arc ])ictures(|uc. The cattle grazing with their while saddle- 
backs, as we ride on, form a i)icturc of animal cnnifcirt. W'c arc cm one of 
the narrow roads of old time. 

We cuter BowM.w .\\K\rK. — The Stevenson place has a beautiful 
grove. .\ stone gatewax' introduces to the mansion, which stands .among 
trees. J. Crawford's fine house is situated on the brow of the hill. Tn 
general the roads are finely macadamized. 

COLLECE AviO.Nl'K is next in order. The ])leasant and cheerful abode 
of Rev. Dr. J. W. Robins is before us. It is an English timbered house, 
called College (iate, designed by Wilson l'"yrc. The piazza jutting over the 
lawn is supi)orted by a stone wall. 

Dr. Robins was for many years the Head Master of the Episcopal 
Academy in Philadelphia. 



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RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 53 

The piazza here commands a pleasant \'iew. including the lawn of St. 
Charles Borronieo Theological Seminary. The flowers that adorn it make 
a floral retreat on a summer evening. 

Theological Seminauy of St. Charles Boruomeo. — The needful 
information for the following notes was taken from a sketch of the Semi- 
nary, published in i8gi. 

Very Rev. Dr. John E. Fitzmauricc is the Rector and Professor of 
Homiletics. Bishop Kenrick, and "the saintly Bishop" Neumann, and 
Archbishop Wood were founders of the Seminary. 

In A. D. 1832 Bishop Kenrick, the "distinguished ornament of the 
CathoHc Hierarchy," began a seminary in Philadelphia. He had been a 
Professor in Bishop Flaget's Theological Seminary of St. Thomas in Ken- 
tucky, at Bardstown. In 1830 he became the assistant of the aged Bishop 
Conwell in administrating the Diocese of Philadelphia. His character re- 
sembled that of St. Charles Borromeo. 

Seminar}- work connnenced in the Bishop's house, "No. 92 — now 316 — 
South Fifth Street." and followed the remo\-als of his residence, at length 
settling next to St. Mary's Church. 

In 1835 Very Rev. Peter R. Kenrick, the Bishop's brother, was given 
the direction of the Seminary by the Bishop. He became Vicar General 
of Philadelphia, and afterward this zealous man was made coadjutor of 
Bishop Rosati, of St. Louis, and at his death Ihshop of that see, and in 1847 
Archbishop. 

In 1837 \^ery Rev. Edward Barron. D. D., was Rector of the Seminary, 
and afterward the zealous Bishop of Africa. The climate prostrated him 
after a few vears. and he returned to do the work of a missionarv priest in 
the i'nited States, dying as a martyr in the yellow fe\er at Savannah in 1854. 

In 1838 the Seminary receixed a charter. 

The Treasurer, Mark Anthony Frenaye, under Bishop Kenrick's di- 
rection, bought an untlnished Imuse at Eighteenth and Race Streets, and 
subsecpientlv two other lots were addecl to the property. The building 
was finished, and in 1839 occupied. 

The Very Rev. Michael O'Connor, D. D., was now appointed Rector. 
This holy man was the first Bishop of Pittsburg. 

In 1 841 Very Rev. ^lariano Mailer was Rector, under the "direction 
of the Lazarists." Very Rev. John B. Tornatore. C. "SI., was his successor. 
Bishop Amat, of California, succeeiled him. but he afterward resumed his 
post for a vear. Under Bishop Neumann Rev. William O'Hara, D. D., 
afterward Bishop of Scranton, was appointed Rector, continuing his 
charge until i8()i. In 1859 a Preparatory Seminary was opened at Glen 



54 RURAL PENNSVU'AXIA. 

Riddle, Pa., under direction of the future Bishop Shanahan, of the See of 
Harrisburg. 

Bisliop Wood placed the Seminar)- under the care of \'ery Rev. Dr. 
Maurice .\. Walsh. The "late Bishop of Omaha, \'ery Rev. James O'Con- 
nor." succeeded him in 1864. 

In 1865 Bishop Wood announced the purchase of the beautiful Over- 
brook property of 137 acres from the Remington estate. The grand 
building, on its commanding site, was designed by the architects, Samuel T. 
Sloan and Addison Hutton. The building contains a beautiful chapel, with 
elaborate decorations. The Library Room is large, and contains a valu- 
able collection, and I was pleased to see the abundance of light from several 
windows. This institution has cost nearly a million dollars. Students 
first occupied it in 1871. and the Prejiaratory Seminar)- was included in this 
institution. 

In 187.2 the \'er)- Rev. James O'Connor was succeeded in the Presi- 
dency 1))- "the late Rt. Rev. Mgr. James A. Corcoran, D. D." He was \-ery 
learned in ancient languages, and in Hoi)- Scripture, and possessed a mar- 
xelously strong memory. 

The \'ery Rev. Charles P. O'Connor, D. D.. was his useful successor 
in 1873. He had been \'ice-Rector. 

In 1879 Rev. Dr. \\'illiam Kieran, a \'ice-Rector, was appointed Rec- 
tor, and in 1882 the Golden Jubilee occurred, carefull)- and \visel\- planned 
]>)- him. The graduates returned in crowds to honor their Alnia Muter. 

In 1883 .\rchbishop Wood died. The next year ".Most Rex. Patrick J. 
Ryan, D. D., was appointed his successor." This distinguished ])relate 
hatl been Coadjutor to .\rchbishop Kenrick, of St. Louis. He has shown 
great interest in the Seminary, in engrossing cares, \-isiting it weekly, and 
laboring for its advancen-ient. 

Since 1886 Dr. Fitzmaurice has administered it. He was a student 
at Eighteenth and Race Streets, and led "a missionar)- life" for twcnt\--four 
)-ears. gaining rich experience. His zeal, talent, and energv lit him for his 
im]KM-taiU ])()st. where he has been successful in his work. I'lxccllent yivo- 
fessors aid him. and Professor Janies B. Roberts teaches Oratorv and 
Rhetoric. 

This is believed to be the largest Diocesan Seminar)- in the L'nited 
States. Its Rectors have furnished eight Bisho])s: the Professors, two: Rt. 
Rev. Dr. ]\Iichael Domcnec was Bishop of Pittsburg, and Rt. Rev. Ignatius 
F. Horstmann, D. I)., is at i)resent Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio: and of the 
former students. Rc\. Dr. Thomas McGovern. Bishop of Harrisburg, 
and Rt. Re\-. Stephen \'. R\an. D. D.. Bishop of I'.nffalo. X. ^■. 



RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 57 

Francis A. Drexel was "a i^enerous benefactor" of tliis institution. 

Haveufoki). — Havcrford is in the Welsh Tract, "and was the earliest 
settled of the Welsh townships except Alerion, in Montgomery County." 
The name came from Wales, and was contracted to Harford in conversation. 

The Friends' Meeting-house was erected in 1700. Here Penn 
preached when he made his second \-isit to Penns} l\ania. The first burial 
here was that of William Shar])us in i()84. 

"Milestones on the okl Haxerford or Goshen Road were doubtless im- 
ported from England." 

The GuAX(iE. — ^^'e s)-noiisize Dr. Smith's history of Delaware County, 
which gives a picture of the quaint and dignified house of this title where 
the staid Quaker from Wales, Henr}- Lewis, broke the wiklerness for a home 
in 1682. His son Henry followed him. The estate covered nearly 400 
acres in the last century. Captain John Wilcox built the grand and ele- 
gant mansion, calling it "Clifton Hall." He surrounded the estate with 
a ditch. 

Charles Cruickshank, a wealthy Scotch gentleman, a British Captain 
who had served in the Netherlands, bought the place, and styled it the 
"Grange," or "Grange Farm." The house was enlarged, and terraced 
walks and a greenhouse brought out the natural beauties of the estate. 
"The land attached to the Grange was partly in three counties — Chester 
(now Delaware), Philadelidiia, and Montgomery, wdiich Captain Cruick- 
shank increased by purchase." 

A Scotch merchant. John Ross, of Philadelphia, "married Clemen- 
tina, the daughter of Ca]itain Cruickshank, who, at the close of the Revolu- 
tionary Wiw, sold the Grange to his son-in-law, Ross, and returned with his 
family to his natixe country. Mr. Ross added to the l)uildings, and also in- 
creased the cjuantity of land to an aggregate of 600 acres." 

His son-in-law, John F. Milflin, purchased the property after the Cap- 
tain's death, and a few years afterward sold it "to John H. Brinton, the 
maternal grandfather of General George B. ;\lcClellan." This gentleman 
"sold the mansion, with another ])art of the estate which he had purchased 
in 181 1, to Manuel Eyre. Esc[., who made it his country residence till his 
death in 1845. About that time the Grange was purchased by John Ash- 
hurst, Es(|., the son-in-law of Mr. F_\re. who still occupies it as his conntrv- 
seat." 

Elegant entertainments were held here in the time that Charles Ross 
was the occupant. Professor Charles Caldwell, of a medical college in 
Kentucky, \isitcd here in liis youth and wrote a poem concerning the 



58 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

Grange, which Samuel Breck, Esq., the son-in-law of John Ross, loaned in 
manuscript to Dr. Smith. I acid a Ijrief extract: 

"Remote from town with all its clamorous train 

Grange lies — luxuriant in fair rural scenes, 

Gay plumy groves, bright lawns and velvet greens. 

Proud forests humming to the hollow gale. 

And craggy steeps dark frowning o'er the vale, 

Alternate shadowy walks, and siumy hills, 

Soft warbling choirs and sweetly gurgling rills."' 

Richard L. Ashhurst was horn in Naples. Italy, and Dr. John Ashhurst 
was born in Philadelphia. Both these brothers were educated at the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania. Richard L. Ashhurst was Adjutant of the I50tii 
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, during the war. Dr. John Ashhurst 
is Professor of Surgery in the University of Pemisyhania. Siu^geon to the 
Pennsvlvania Hospital, etc., and he has written a "Principles and Practice 
of Surger\-,"' which has gone through six editions; edited an "International 
Encyclopedia of Surgery"" in seven volumes, etc. He is an honored and 
useful layman in the Episcopal Church. 

Mrs. Matthew Baird's elegant brown stone house, with its beautiful 
lawn, is very noticealde. 

Bardwolii. — This beautiful jdace is named from a word meaning 
Baird's Woods. The mansion is the home of Mrs. Matthew Baird and her 
familv. It was finished in A. D. 1885. The material is brown stone, and 
a porte-cochere and four piazzas vary the exterior. Benjamin Linfoot was 
tjie architect, and M}ers &; Sons tlie Iniilders. 

A most striking feature of the interior is the magnificently large hall, 
which has counterparts in the second and third stories. .\ cupola sur- 
mounts the building. Tlie drawing-room, and ])icture gallery, and music, 
and receiition, and dining-rooms are on the first door. There is a billiard- 
rooiu in the l)asemcnt. The oak woodwork of the wainscots and ceilings is 
remarkably tine, while the stained glass windows and stone work of an arch 
leading from the recejition-room to the h;ill, ;nid fireplaces in eacli i"i)(ini 
are ])leasant features of the building. 

.\ projection affords means of throwing desired light into three stories, 
including tlie library and the chambers. Each chamber h;is a dressing- 
room connected with it. 'fhe lloors are of liai"d wood, witli inlaid liorders. 

'i"he ])icture gallerx' contains a nmnlier of ^b»ran's ])ictures, and land- 
sca])es, with sunny summer brightness, ami ;i painting of Mrs. Baird, by 
Matthew Wilson, diversifv the walls. 



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RURAL PENNSYU-ANIA. 6i 

A miniature steam enyiiic of gold and sih-er, presented to Mr. Baird 
when lie left the Baldwin Locomotive Works, is in a balcony here. A large 
silver cup and other gifts were received as testimonials from the men in the 
Works. 

A fine conservatory joins the pictiux gallery, and a wide lawn adorned 
with flowers is seen from its windows, showing the sunnncr home of flowers 
nursed here in the winter's cold. 

Matthew B-VlPa).- — In the History of the Hibernian Society, by John 
H. Campbell, there is a sketcii of the life of Matthew Baird. He was born 
in Ireland, near Londonderry, in A. D. 1817. When he was four years old 
his parents came to Phikulelphia. "His father was a coppersmith," the son 
"was educated in the common schools of Philadelphia." He became as- 
sistant to a Professor of Chemistry of the University of Pennsylvania. 

The New Castle Manufacturing Company, of Delaware, employed him 
in copper and sheet-iron work, and he Ijecame Superintendent of the rail- 
road shops in New Castle. 

In 1838 he returned to Philadelphia as "foreman of the sheet-iron and 
boiler department of the Baldwin Locomotive W'orks." For a time he 
was in the marble business with his brother, John Baird. 

In 1854 he entered into partnership with Matthias W. Baldwin in the 
Locomotive W'orks. Mr. Baldwin died in 1865, "and Mr. Baird became 
sole proprietor of the works." In \'6()j he received as partners George 
Burnham and Charles T. Parry. In 1873 he withdrew, but was interested 
in "numerous public and [jrivate enterprises. He was a Director of the 
Central National Bank, and the Texas-Pacific Railroad Company, and the 
Pennsylvania Steel Company, Andover Iron Company, W'est Chester & 
Philadelphia Railroatl Company, and the Philadelphia Academy of Fine 
Arts. He was an incorporator and director of the American Steamship Com- 
pany, and held large investments in the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. 

"He was eminently a public-spirited citizen, and was prominent in con- 
nection with enterprises for the general benefit, or of a charitable character. 
He was Manager of the Northern Home for Friendless Children, and con- 
tributed largely to other benevolent institutions. He died May 19th, 1877." 
(See Scharf & Wescott's "Hist. Phila.," Vol. HI, pp. 2179 and 2257.) 

ZORAYDA. — A vine-clad stone wall on Cnion Avenue contains an open 
gateway, admitting to a beautifully wooded lawn before the stone mansion 
of Samuel Croft. A never-failing deep spring covered by a house sup- 
plies the place with water. It is thrown to the tank at the top of the house 
by a hot-air pump. Fine cattle grazing in an enclosure give the charm of 
animal life to the landscape. About six acres of land were purchased by 



62 RURAL PENNSVU'ANIA. 

:Mr. Croft of his neighljor, Jolm Marston. about thirteen years ago. The 
liouse was IniiU in A. D. 1883. H. K. Yarnah. of Philadelphia, was the 
architect, and Varnall & Cooper were the Ijuilders. The quarry of Jacob 
Stadelnian. on Citv Avenue, furnished material for the walls. A s(|uare 
tower rises from the base, capped by a pyramidal roof. The gables and 
]Mazza are so arranged as to make a picturesque appearance, while the useful 
chimney asserts its rights above a dormer-window. Creeping vines clasp 
the gray wall. Samuel Croft is engaged in business with his son, F. I'. 
Croft, in West Philadelphia. 

HOLMHUitST. — A home by the wood is a suitable Saxon name for the 
countrv-seat of Charles Hartshorne, in Lower IMerion. on Hazlehurst Ave- 
nue, near W'vnnewood Avenue and Merion Station. 

The ample and beautiful dwelling of stone and slate was designed l)y 
.\d<lison Hutton. and constructed of Trenton brownstone. It was linisbed 
in .\. D. 1886. and occupied at once by Mr. Hartshorne. 

.\bout twenty acres of ground are in the property. About six acres 
are wooded, and one entrance is a rustic drive through the grove. 

On a part which originally bekMiged to the tract Edward Y. Harts- 
horne. son of Charles Hartshorne. is just completing a house of stone and 
frame, of antique design, with a hipped roof. 

Charles Hartshorne was born in I'hiladelphia, l^eing the youngest son 
of the late eminent Dr. Joseph Hartshorne. Two of Charles Plartsiiorne's 
brothers became physicians, one. Dr. Edward Hartshorne. is dead: and 
Dr. Henry Hartshorne. the other brother, is now in Japan, doing voluntary 
Christian missionar\- work in that country. 

The familv are descended from Richard Hartshorne. who settled near 
the Heights of Navesink. in New Jersey, in A. D. 1669. 

Charles Hartshorne has been \'ice-President of the Lehigh N'alley i\;iil- 
road since 1868. He is an ahimnus of the Cni\-ersity of Penns_\l\ania. and 
a Trustee of Haverford and r>r_\n Alawr Colleges, ami of Lehigh L'niversity. 
While this volume was in ]M-e]:)aration. after the above was written, the 
following notice appeared in the Philadelphia I'ltblic Ledger, of March iSth. 
1897: 

"A letter received from Japan states that Dr. Henry Hartshorne. edu- 
cator, author, poet, and lecturer, who died in Tokyo, on February 10th, 
was buried from the I'riends" .Meeting-1 louse, Shiba, on the ft)llowing day. 
The interment was at the Aoyama Cemetery, Tokyo." 

Dr. Hartshorne left several bequests for benevolent purposes. 

The following is from the Delaivare County American: 

"Where the Names Come From. — Following is the origin of each station 



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RURAL PENNSVU-ANIA. 65 

name on tlie main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, from Overbrook to 
Paoli. inchisive, as furnished by Secretary Sims, of the Pennsylvania Rail- 
road; ()\erl)rook, from the stream that runs throu<jh the place; Merion. the 
name nf a Welsh chieftain in the eight or ninth century; Narberth. perhaps 
from na. not. and berth, beautiful; W'ynnewood, after Dr. Thomas Wynne, 
who was born in W'ales in ir)30. and emigrated to America: Ardmore. 
an Irish name, signifying the "high moor.' or "tract of wild ground;' Ilaver- 
f(ird. the goat's ford; liryn Mawi'. Welsh for great hill; Rosemont, a fancy 
name; \'ilia Nova. Italian for new \illa or house; Upton, the high town; 
Radnor, the red district; St. David's, after St. Da\id. or more directly, per- 
haps, from the old St. David's Church be_\ond Radnor; Wayne, after General 
Anthony Wayne; Strafford, after Lord Strafford; Devon, deej) \alley; Ber- 
wyn. the white boundar\-; Daylesford. St. Thecla's Ford; Paoli. after Gen- 
eral Paoli. the Corsican soldier." 

It should be adtled that Rosemont was the name of the .Vshljridge farm 
on which the station is located. 

Berwyn is the name of a range of Welsh mountains. 

Lower jMeimox. — Rev. Dr. Brewer, the learned English scholar, in 
his "Dictionary of I^hrase and I*'able." gives Merioneth (Wales) as maero- 
neth (a dairy farm). 

Glenn's "Alerion in the Welsh Tract," p. 57. states that in Cymric it 
means "the earth, land, or possessions of Merion." Some writers derive the 
name from "a Welsh chieftain, named Merion. who is said to have flourished 
during the eighth or ninth century of the Christian era. So much for a 
name so old that its origin is lost amid the traditions of a dim past." 

Dr. J. J. Le\ick. in his iiamphlet "The Earl}- History of Merion." ex- 
tracted from the Fcnnsyli'aiila }higa.zlnc of History ami Bio>^raf^li\\ Vol. IV, 
1880. ]). 2. and note, writes of Meirion. or Meyreon, or Meiriawn. who ruled 
as "prince or king" a part of Britain in the early part of the eighth 
century. 

"The termination ydd and cfli is of common occurrence in ancient 
Welsh names of districts, and seems to have the meaning of a tract or ex- 
tent of country belonging to the person whose name formed the preceding 
part of the word." I add that in Mr. Twitchell's title the word is spelled 
Merryon. 

This township of Alontgomery County touches the Schuylkill River. 
Upper Merion Township, West Conshohocken Borough, Philadelphia, and 
Delaware County. 

Colonel Bean's History of Montgomery County thus describes it: "Its 
greatest length is six and a half miles, with a width of four miles, embracing 



66 RURAL PEXXSYLJ'AXIA. 

an area of fourteen thousand five hundred acres. In its situation it is the 
most southerly in tlie county, and tlie greatest in extent and population." 

West Conshohockcn I'lorough. in 1S74. dcpri\'cd it of two hundred 
and fifty acres. 

Springs and streams alwund. Mill Creek is the largest of these 
streams, running from the neighborhood of Green Tree Tavern on Gulf 
Road for about six miles on its swift and curxing course, while fourteen 
little streams add their tributes to its waters. 

In 175S Xicholas Scull names "Roberts's grist and paper-mills" on it. 
\'arious mills liaxe used its power. Its branch. "Trout Run." indicates 
fishing. 

Before 1830 this township had no post-office. 

The Lancaster Turnpike cuts Lower Merion. and is believed to be the 
first turnpike built in this country. It was begun in tjijj and tinisheil in 
two years. 

The Penns\l\ania Railroad was a later and greater impro\'enient. In 
1834 it ran to Columliia, and. in 1854. to Pittsburg. 

The Reading Railroad also serves this region, running along the beau- 
tiful Schuylkill. It was l)uilt in the years from 1834 to 1839. 

The Scluulkill N'alley Railway, opened in 1884, makes a third artery 
for tra\el and conuuerce. 

lunerson said that two railroads were equal to a river, but here are three 
railroads, and a river besides. 

The name Merion is from Merioneth, Xorth Wales, some of the early 
settlers having come from that place. 

lohn Oldniixon \isited this section in 1708. and notes that the Welsh 
Tract was "\ery jiopulous" and the peojjle "\ery industrious; by which 
means it is better cleared than an\' other jKirt of the count}." lie adds: 
"Tiie inhabitants lune many fine plantations of corn, and breed abundance 
of cattle, inasmuch that they are looked u])on to be as thriving and wealthy 
as any in the province." 

Mv friend. William J. I'uck, tlie veteran local historian, in his History 
of Montgomery County, says: "The surface of this township is agreeably 
diversified i)y a number of beautiful streams. Though none are large, yet 
they funush valuable water ])ower. So well is Lower Merion watereil that 
scarcelv a large farm can l)e fomid which does not contain one or more ex- 
cellent springs of living water. Mill Creek is the largest stream, and lies 
whollv within the limits of this township." 

He adds: "The turnpike road leading from Philadelphia io Lancaster 
passes through the township a distance of about four and a half miles. It 



o 
M 



o 



n 

o 




RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 69 

was tlie first road of tliis kind made in I'ennsvlvania. It was commenced 
in 1792 and completed two years afterward. It was effected wholly by in- 
dividual subscriptions, and is sixty-two miles in length, and cost $465,000, 
or $7,500 per mile. It was laid with broken stones twenty-four feet wide 
and eighteen inches dee])." 

XAit.HEiM"ii. — The Borough of Xarberth lies on an elevation about 360 
feet above tide level, giving every advantage of pure air and the best health 
conditions. The houses are picturesque]}- grouped on rolling ground, af- 
fording fine and varied landscape effects. Xineteen minutes (seven miles) 
from Broad Street Station, on the main line of Pennsyhania Railroad, it is 
more centrally located (for convenience of access) than many parts of the 
city itself. Pure spring water from deep artesian wells of the Spring Gar- 
den and Bryn Mawr Companies, absolutely assured from contamination, 
is fttrnished in abundance. Gas, electricity, well-lighted and macadamized 
avenues, and two systems of underground drainage give to the residents all 
the comforts of city life. The dwellings are of stone or brick, in tasteful 
architecture, arranged with a view to convenient and comfortable living, 
furnished with all modern improvements. Much attention is given to the 
lawns which surround each house, and landscape gardening is here a fine 
art. The business enterprise in the develoi)ment of the town insures rapid 
growth. 

Xarberth is eminenllv a place of homes which shall be within the reach 
of average business men. The cost of living is not as great as at some 
suburban stations, yet the society is of a refined and congenial cast. Pro- 
N'ision. trimming, and drug stores are centrally located. Competent physi- 
cians of both schools reside here. 

The organization of a borough in 1895 at once placed Xarberth in a 
position to make and sustain substantial impro\-ements. and protect the in- 
terests of its citizens. A Board of Health looks after the sanitary condi- 
tions. The health of the comnnuiity has become a subject of remark. 

Xarl)erlh takes s])ecial pride in her educational facilities. Realizing 
that this is a matter of utmost imijortance to those wishing to find a home, 
special eft'ort is made to ha\"e a school second to none. The fine stone 
school-house, elegantly ap])ointed and furnished with every facility for gootl 
work, is surrounded b\' grounds picturesquelv laid out with trees and shrub- 
bery. The high grade of work done under t!ie direction of the local School 
Board has already attracted wide attention. 

Three acti\e churches in different parts of the town offer alumdant 
facilities for worship and religious activity. 

The Baptist Church of the E\-angel is located on the high ground just 



70 RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 

south a\ the railroail. at the corner of Xarhcrth and Elmwood A\'enucs. It 
is a fine edifice of gray stone, well appointed for aggressive work. Services 
were begun in A. D. 1890, resulting in tlie organization of a mission in the 
following }'car. In Nox'ember. 1893, it was recognized as an independent 
church. .\11 hranches of church acti\ity and l)ene\o]ence ha\c l)een \igor- 
ously ])nshe(l ft)r\\ard. The Uihle School is already pressing for larger ac- 
connnodations. This church has formed a centre round which a congenial 
conipan\- of prominent I'.aptists have gathered, making no small inducement 
for those of this faith Xo make this their home. 

'I'he Presbyterian Church, ciirner of \\'indsor and Grayling Avenues, 
was destroyed by fire in Januarx-, 1896. Within a few da\'S a temporary 
structure was jiroxidetl, wliicli is now being replaced b\' a handsome stone 
liuilding. The enter])rise thus shown is indicatixe of the character of the 
clunx-h. 

The erection of a Methodist F.piscopal C"lun-ch in Xarbcrth was con- 
ceived in A. D. 189.2. when a legacy was offered of ^i.doo "for the pur])ose 
of ])urchasing ground for the erection of a church between Fifty-second 
Street and Ardmore." Ground was purchased at the corner of Essex and 
Price Aventies. The corner-stone was laid in Xovember. 189J. \\'hen 
almost completed the church was burned to the gi'ound. In spite of such 
discoin-agements the present building was completed and dedicated free 
of debt in October, i8()5. It is an attracti\-e building of stone, tastefulh- 
finished and furnished within, and stands on a connnanding site. 

The Xarbcrth Field Llul) ft)rmerl\ had their club-house at the corner 
of Xarlierth antl Haverford Avenues, but ha\e since removed to their 
s])acious quarters in their new home, at the southwest corner of Xarbcrth 
and Windsor .\venues. their athletic field being at a short distance on the 
south side of the railroad. 

The l-'ire Gompany is e(|uipped with truck anil engines, antl give as- 
sui";ince of prom])t aid in case of need. 

.\'arl)erth is speciallx' fortunate in her surroundings. Much of the tinest 
scenery of .Montgomery Gount_\- lies within a short distance ;dl about. The 
neighborhood alionnds in Rexdlutionary ;nid Goloni.al land-marks, h'ine 
macadam roads in all directions furnish mi]iaralleled attractions for the 
wheel. M.any business men ride to and from their citv ofiices on their 
"bikes," gaining refi-eshment after the day's labors. In fine, the citizen^ 
of Xarbcrth .are well satisfied with theii" homes. 

We add to this sketch, as far as the iiaptist Ghurch is concerned, lli.il 
the belo\ed pastor of that church. Kcw llarold KeinieiK. w;is born in i'hib 
adelphia. .and w;is graduated at the L'nixersity of I 'ennsybania and Lrozer 



RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 71, 

Theological Semiiiar\'. He has been vel"^- successful in his work at Nar- 
berth. At this writing he is aljsent for a short time on a journey to the 
Holy Land to see the places lilessed 1j\- the presence of Christ. 

\\'e add a few items to the foregoino- excellent description. 

The Narberth public school-house is valued at $13,000. 

There are aljout 150 tine houses in the borough, and a population of 
about 600. 

Narl.)erth was formerly called Elm. but in May. 1892, received the 
present name from a Welsh parish in Pembrokeshire. (See Gleim's jNIerion 
in the Welsh Tract, p. 390, for a reference to the Welsh parish.) 

Xarberth Park was the first change in name, but it was afterward re- 
stricted to Narberth. 

On the brow of the hill due north of Xarberth Station, facing the val- 
ley which extends far to the southwest, commanding a fine view of the same, 
is the home of Mr. Edward Forsythe, shown in a plate. Its southern ex- 
posure secures not only a delightful view but enjoys the winter sun, as well 
as the prevailing southwestern breezes of the sununer. It is situated at 
the corner of Price and Narberth Avenues. 

The ground, comprising three acres, was purchased of the Price estate, 
this estate having accpiired title direct from William I'enn. The house was 
built b\' the present owner in icSijtj. the first story being constructed of gray 
stone quarried in the neighl)orliood: the second story is of frame. The 
architect who planned the same was Mr. Charles W. Bolton, of Philadel- 
]:>hia. 

Mr. Forsythe was born in Chester Count}-, Pa., and was educated at 
Haverford College, Pa., and afterward carried his scientific studies further 
at Harvard University and other institutions, and for three years after- 
ward was himself coimected with educational work, being for a time asso- 
ciated with the well-known writer, Hamlin Garland. Mr. Forsvthe's oc- 
cu])ation has been, however, for a dozen years or more, that of handling 
in\estment securities, he l)eing especially interested in the subject of irri- 
gation in the Central Western States. 

The Forsythes are of the Scotch-Irish race, and we have recently seen 
genealogical records tracing the family back to a very earlv period. i\Irs. 
For.sythe"s maiden name was Miss Verkes. daughter of Jones Yerkes, 
Moorestown, X. J. 

The Forsythes are a Gascon family, named from a French town on 
the Dordogne River, now Fronsac. according to Froissart's Chronicles. 
They are traced by tradition to the ]irincel\- family of Xa\arre. Robert 
de Forsythe served in war under llruce. and is the ancestor of the Forsvthes 



74 RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 

in (ireat Britain. Ireland, and America. — Burke's Peerage. Some were 
warriors abroad or in this land. Bishop Stevens's History of Georgia notes 
Robert Forsythe, of Virginia, as a Revokttionary officer. The genealogy, 
which has been drawn out in detail, names many remarkal)le men. 

The ]\Iethtidist parish of Beth-I\.\ffe.\ had a church building located 
in the country north of Narberth, and was mo\etl four or h\e _\ears ago to 
the borough. Re\'. C". H. Basford was in charge at the remo\al. and the 
construction of the new building of stone, which was burned in 1893: and 
the second one was built shortly after, and dedicated free of debt in Octo- 
ber, A. D. 1895. D. Judge Denean, of Ardmore, was tlie architect of both 
l)uildings. Rev. T. H. Evans succeeded INIr. Basford, and was pastor at 
the dedication of the second church. These clergymen lived at (jlad- 
wvnne, and ser\c(l the parish there in connection with that at Xarberth; Init 
Narberth is now to have its clergyman for itself. Charles E. Kreamer is 
President and Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, and George Super is 
Secretary. The Trustees are: Charles E. Kreamer. I*". H. Prescott. Jacob 
Super, S. R. JNIarriner. George Super. F. Bicking. Jr.. T. L. J. Russell, and 
K. Montgomery. 

The Pkesbyteriax CiirKcii. — This church also was burned, antl an 
appeal after the burning states that union services were at first held in 
Narberth by Methodists. Baptists, and Presbyterians, and when Presby- 
terians stood alone there was a struggle for life rind develo))ment. W'c 
c|uote from the ai)iieal: "The purcliase of a lot and liuilding and furnishing 
of a suitable cliapel was a hea\-y strain U]wn the energy as well as the ])urses 
of the little band, but the work progressed satisfactorily, and in December 
of the same year (1891). tlie unpretending but neat frame chape! was duly 
dedicated. 

"During mruiy months the pulpit was occujjied by young men from 
Princeton College, the greater part of the time by J\e\'. S. K. McClements 
(then not _\et ordained), but now Pastor of a church at I'iltston, i'a.; but in 
October. i8(;j;. the congregation called Re\-. \\ ni. ^ . llrown. 1). 1)., who 
has been the f;iithful ;nid nuich-belo\eil Pastor ever since. 

"\\ liile the tire was still smoldering, kind letters of regret and sym- 
pathy were recei\'e(l from officials of the Methodist and Baptist Churches, 
offering to do anvthing in their jxiwer to aid us, the former tendering us 
the exclusive use of their new Chui"ch e\ery .Sunday c\'cniug: but in the 
afternoon of the same da_\- the President of our Board of Trustees called 
together the Pastor, ofticers, and a few friends, and. after a serious and 
tlioughtful conference, it was determined th;it it wo\dd be wiser to main- 
tain our organization on our own ground, and keep our children and the 



RURAL PENNSVLrANI/1. 77 

\'ounL;' people from L;"ettiii<;" scattered; ami a contract was then antl there 
entered into with a member t^f our Church to erect a temporary building" 
as (piickly as possible — the task of erecting the building and procuring the 
necessary furniture, stove, liooks, pai)ers, etc., for Church and Sunday- 
school work was comjileted in ti\e da_\s — tints enabling us to resume all the 
regular services on Sunday morning, Januar\- i()th, ft)r which we are in- 
tensely thankful to our Heavenly Father." 

The appeal was signed by Sylvester J. Baker, President; Freeman S. 
Belcher, Secretary and Treasurer, Board of Trustees. I add the present 
Elders and Trustees: Ruling Elders. — Freeman S. Belcher, Sylvester J. 
Baker, Samuel O. Walker. Board of Trustees. — Sylvester J. Baker, Presi- 
dent; Freeman S. Belcher, Secretary and Treasurer; J. W. Caldwell, J. 
George Bucher, John K. Ketcham. 

We quote further from the Narbcrtli Citizen: 

"The new church will occupy the same site as the Intilding which was 
burned, and is in the centre of the town, onl_\- a short distance from the 
station, and when completed it will be a handsome addition to the archi- 
tecture of Xarberth. The general style of the building will be Italian 
Gothic, and Avondale granite will be used in the construction. The Sab- 
bath-school dejiartment will adjoin the main auditorium, with the class- 
rooms so arranged that they can all be thrown open and made a part of 
the church proper. Under the class-rooms there will be fitted out a kitciien 
and dining-room. The building as a whole will be complete and up-to-date, 
costing in the neighborhood of $15,000. 

"It is a very artistic and well proportioned building, and will add 
great!}- to our many new and attracti\-e homes and buildings. This struc- 
ture is a combination of Romanesque and Queen Anne style, with a dash 
of Italian Gothic here and there, to carry out the general effectiveness. 
The exterior main portion will be of home stone laid in broken range, rock- 
faced work, and with deep joints. Above and working in with the stone 
is the cedar shingle work, with its sweeps, curves, and swells, something 
entirely new in this part of the country. 

"We nuist congratulate Mr. J. Gather Newsom, the well-known Phil- 
adelphia architect, on the originality of this design. The main roof and 
tower roof will have metallic shingles, with galvanized iron ridges and 
finish. The tower will be ninety feet in height, and is well proportioned. 
There will be three entrances, two in tower, and a combined entrance for 
both Sunday-school and auditorium. 

"The open truss work, and with chestnut wood finish between the 



78 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

trusses, logetlier witli the richh' designed art glass windows, will present 
a very fine effect. There is room for future gallery." 

Rev. R. ( iraham, son of a l'resl)_\terian clergyman in Philadelphia, is 
ilie present pastor. 

The Borough of Narberth was incorporated the 21st day of January, 
.\. D. 1S95. A. H. Mueller was elected the lirst Burgess in February, 1895. 
The boundary lines are Montgomer}- Avenue on the north, Haverford Ave- 
nue on the east, Rockland Avenue on the south, and W'ynnew'ood Avenue 
on the west. 

Eight years ago what is now the borough was farm and pasture land, 
comprising the lands of Mrs. M. Fury, E. R. Price, \\m. Thomas. J- Aubrey 
]ones, Sarah Hagy, and S. C. Wood. The borough is dixided l)y the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad. The first Coimcil was composed of R. M. \\'a]lace. 
President: J. C. Simpson, A. A. Lowry. j. ;\[. March, E. M. Justice. W. J. 
Tones, F. H. Harjes, \V. H. Townsend, C. A. McClellan, and J. K. Ketcham. 

Cliarles E. Kreamcr's house faces on Forest Avenue, at the corner 
of Windsor Avenue. Mr. Kreamer is one of the first residents of Xarberth. 

The very pretty residence of bluestone and ornamental wood and partly 
rough-cast wall and shingle work, with tasteful designs, is encircled with a 
cozy piazza, and stone foundations are constructed to uphokl its pillars 
with pleasing efi'ect. A low osage orange hedge surrounds the grounds, 
and the light-colored stone gate-posts and corner boundar_\- posts contrast 
well with the very verdant hedge. The lawn is adorned with fiowers. and 
three large trees have kept their place amid modern change. 

Manv beautiful dwellings arc aromid this place, and others arc rising 
in tiiis attracti\-e suburb. 

Air. Kreamer's house was built in iSSij, :md inirchaseil b\- him the same 
year. 

Florenci.\. — The place of SxK'cster J. Baker, bearing the abo\-e name, 
at the corner of lona and Haverford A\enues, is one of the most pleasing 
objects tiiat meets the view in beautiful Xarberth. The house was l)uilt 
A. D. 1891, Oscar Erotchcr being the architect, and Joseph l)\si)u builder. 
It stands on an elevated terrace, and is constructed of bluestone from Rock 
Hill quarries. The architecture is ])leasing in its variety of outline. The 
double bay-windows gi\'e cheerful light to two stories, and the tiled roofs 
of house and piazza and porte-cochere, and the balcon\' aliove one 1)a\-\\in- 
dow, and the hooded window above another, ami the two dormer-windows 
that hug the chimney are striking features. The two sides of the iiouse 
are varied in plan. The roof is broken into picturesque angles, while win- 



5 



in 




RURAL PENNSYWANIA. 8i 

dows peep out at tlie beliolder from e\ery ciuarter. One bay-window juts 
out in the form of an oriole tower, with shingle work underneath it. This 
makes a pretty oljservatory from which to view the blooming flowers below. 
The rooms within are pleasant and comfortable, and modern improvements 
serve this modern dwelling. A honexsuckle \'ine brightens the iron fence 
which surrounds the grounds. J\lr. Baker has resided here during all the 
3'ear since 1891. 

A. H. Mueller's pretty residence of sttjne and shingle on the corner of 
Forest and \Vindsor Avenues, with its picturesque dormer-windows and 
gables and piazza, is surrounded by a green hedge. Bethel. Davis & Bethel 
built the dwelling, and Mr. Mueller purchased it in A. D. 1891. He has 
been the Chief Burgess of Narberth. He is a nati\-e of Philadelphia, and 
was educated in its public schools, and is a lithographer and publisher in 
that city. He has always shown a deep interest in the development of 
Narberth. 

T. Broom Belfield bought six acres of land for his beautiful country- 
seat from Edward Price in 1884, wdiich had been in his famil}' from the time 
of W'm. Penn, from whom the title was made. 

Mr. Price died about six }-ears ago, aged seventy-two. He was born 
and died on the farm. The old Columbia Railroad passed through the 
farm, and crossed one corner of the property, the original granite blocks 
upon which the rails were laid being in the ground, and of which Mr. Belfield 
built four gate-posts, which he calls four monuments of the first railroad 
to the West in this State. The roadway had been abandoned over thirty 
years before he bought his lot. The architect of the house, which is of wood 
and stone, with modern improvements, was ^Ir. James H. Windrim. Mr. 
Ensinger (now deceased) was the l)uilder. The dwelling is on a high ele- 
vation. There is an artesian well and a rain-water cistern, and gas and elec- 
tricity light the mansion. There is a stone and frame stable. There are 
two acres in lawn, enclosed b}- an iron fence. Mr. Belfield was born in Phil- 
adelphia in A. D. 1838, and educated in the public schools. He entered 
into the foundry and manufacturing Inisiness when of age at 435 North 
Broad Street, which business was established in 1847. He still continues 
at the same address, his father having died in 1890. 

T^Ierion Chapter. By Miss Margaret B. Harvey. — Merion 
Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, held a preliminarv 
meeting, January 31st, A. D. 1895, at the residence of Mrs Jonathan 
Harding, Pencoyd Farm, near Bala. Permanent organization was ef- 
fected on February i6th, 1895, by the election of the follow'ing named 



82 RUR.-^L PEXXSVLJ-JXIJ. 

officers: Regent. Mrs. J. M. Munxoii; \'ice-Regent, Mrs. J. G. Walker; 
Recording Secretary, Mrs. I''. E. Xock: Corresponding Secretar\-, Mrs. 
Peter J. Mughes; Treasurer, Miss Florence Heston (since married to Mr. 
Slielly T. Jones): Registrar, Mrs. Beulah Harvey Whilldin: Historian, Miss 
Margaret B. Har\'ey: Board of Management. Miss I'lllen J. Heston, Miss 
Mary Ella Harding, Miss Hannah Wynne Cumpton, Mrs. Julia Harvey 
S\vo]5e, Mrs. Marguerite Wynne Ala.wvell. 

The objects of the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolu- 
tion are to cultixate jiatriotic sentiment: to rescue half-forgotten scrajis of 
Revolutionary and Colonial histor\-: to perpetuate the memory of heretic 
forefathers and foremothers; to erect memorials; to collect historic relics, 
and, in general, to carry out the injunctions of Washington's Farewell Ad- 
dress, anil spread intelligence among the people. 

Any lady is eligible to membership in the Society, provided she is at 
least eigiiteen years of age, and is descended from an ancestor who, as a 
recognized patriot, a soldier, a sailor, or a ci\il ofticer, rendered material 
aid to the cause of American independence. Mrs. Louisa Heston I'axson. 
aged ninety-five, is a member of this Chapter. 

The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution 
was organized in Washington. D. C, in October, 1891. The first President 
General was Mrs. Benjamin Harrison. It is intentled that the wife of the 
President of the United States shall alwa\s be President lieneral, if eligible 
to membership in the Society. 

The County Regent of Montgomery County is Mrs. Anna M. Holstein, 
of Bridgeport, Pa. In this county are two local Chapters — \'alley Forge 
Chapter and Merion Chapter. 

Merion Chapter has jurisdiction o\er the townshi]! of Lower Merion. 
This Chapter was organized for the exjiress ])urpose of wcirking up the his- 
tory of this township. The members are largely of Welsh descent, al- 
though there is no law restricting membership to descendants of early 
Cambrians in the Welsh Tract. 

The Chapter was formalh' inaugiu'ated at a "Revolutionary Tea," witli 
elaborate programme and decorations, at the old General Wayne Ta\ern, 
.April 17th, 1895. 

Olind.\. — This Portuguese name was given by Edward S. Sayres, Sr., 
who was honorary consul for Brazil in Philadelphia. ;ind was Dean of the 
Corps at the time of his death, on account of haxing held his appointment 
the longest of any. A sketch of him is given in .Vppleton's Cyclo])edia of 
Biogra])hy. He bought this property in 1859, and was one of the earliest 
of the citizens who went in this direction to locate a countrv-seat. 



o 



P 
53 



5=3 




RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 85 

The word Olinda means the beautiful, and the term was borrowed from 
a place near Pernambuco. which he had visited when he was in Brazil on 
business in early youth. The property now belongs to the William L. 
McDowell estate. 

Blair McClenachan's two dauohters. Matilda and Ann, were early 
owners of the estate, and built the house of stone, plastered. "M. and A." 
is marked in the outer wall. 

Mrs. Mary Penn-Gaskili, wife of Thomas Penn-Gaskill, was a sister of 
these ladies, and she lixed on the place opj^osite, now owned by the Hopper 
family. 

Blair McClenachan is mentioned in Watson's Annals of Philadelphia, 
Vol. I, pp. 180, 475. Thomas Penn-Gaskill, owner of the Penn Irish es- 
tate, is named in \'ol. I, p. 126. 

The Philadelphia Ez'cn'uig Bulletin of February 24th, 1897, contained 
a notice of the death of \\'illiam Little McDowell, who died that day. He 
left a widow, five sons, and two daughters. 

Mr. McDowell was born in Philadelphia in 1824. His parents died 
in his childhood, lea\ing him in the care of two aunts. He left school at 
the age of eleven in 1838, and became entry clerk in the Warnock & 
Leibrandt Stove Company. In 1844 he became jjartner in the Leilirandt- 
McDowell Stove Company, and in 1869 its President. He held this post 
at his death. Mr. McDowell lived long at Tioga, and was acti\-e in works 
of philanthropy. He worked with George A. Smith, afterward the Presi- 
dent of Select Council, in establishing the Union \'olunteer Refreshment 
Saloon to feed and care for Federal troops passing through Philadeli^hia 
at the opening of the w^ar. He boasted often that his ward was the only 
one in Philadelphia where a draft was not necessary. 

I found Mr. McDowell much interested in local history. He had pleas- 
ant memories of Old Trinity Church, Oxford. 

.\ newspaper gix'es the following information: 

"Merion Chapter. Daughters of the American Revolution, held a 
special meeting at the residence of Airs. Samuel R. McDowell, Lower 
Merion, near Merion JNIeetingdiouse. Mr. and Mrs. McDowell presented 
to the Chapter a piece of ground upon which to erect the memorial stone 
to mark the place where Washington's arm_\- encami)ed September 14th, 
1777, on the way to Paoli. 

"The Chapter passed a vote of thanks to Mr. and Mrs. McDowell. It 
was decided to dedicate the stone with elaborate programme on September 
14th next, the 119th annixersary of the day. The memorial stone will lie 



86 RURAL PEXXSVU'.-IXIA. 

a rough granite l^lock, four feet liigli, two feet wide, and two feet thick. 
The front wiU l)e polislied and ajipropriately lettered. 

"The Chapter also decided to send a letter to tlie Park Steamboat 
Company, asking that a Fairmount steamer he named T.\i)n," in memory 
of the ship T.\'on," which sailed u]) the Schu_\lkill August 14th. ifuSj. two 
months before the arrival of Penn. On the ship "Lyon' came the first com- 
pany of Welsh colonists to Pennsylvania and to Merion. The letter was 
drafted at Pencoyd on August 14th. 1S9C).'" 

On Samuel R. ^McDowell's farm, on Monda}- afternoon, Sei)teniher 
14th, A. D. 1896 — a summery day — was dedicated a monuntental stone, 
commemorating the camping place of \\'ashington's army in passing to 
Valley Forge. .\ pleasant yellow country house, with its sheltering piazza 
and ])ordering woods was close at hand. This is the home of S. R. 
McDowell. The adjoining farm belongs to William L. McDowell, father of 
Samuel R. McDowell. An immense stone barn, ])ierced with man\' win- 
dows, is a noteworthy sight, and a stone farm-house is also on the property. 

The McDowell land was a part of the Price estate, which had lieen 
in the familv for four generations. Rees E. Price was the last owner, lie 
now li\es in \\'est Chester, at the age of about eighty-five. 

Brookhurst Inn lies on William L. McDowell's jilace. It is a sunuuer 
boarding-house. 

Montgomery Avenue, formerly called ( )ld Lancaster Ruad. runs by 
the site of the monument. 

Edward R. Price's estate is opposite, with its solid old and ample gray 
stone house, and upping block at the roadside for horseback riders in old 
time. An ice-house roof rises in a picturesque manner in the yard. 

The Old Merion Meeting-house adjoins the old Edward R. Price prop- 
erty, now belonging to William I,. Mcl)i>\vell. and on the east is the Cien- 
eral Wayne Hotel, dating back to 1704. 

The original ancient Price mansion was enlarged ;ind .altered b\- Mr. 
L. McDowell, forming the Prookhurst Inn. 

Wni. L. McDowell. Jr.. has a ])le;is;int residence ne.xt to that of his 
brother. Sanuiel \\. McDowell. 

The Misses ^'()ung own the extreme northwest corner of the Price 
prnpci'ly. where the\' reside. 

Al llie un\riling of the nionnnient \onng ;md old assembled fi'om the 
country-side, and Mayor Jacob Weidel, of Keading. made a ])atriotic .ad- 
dress. The monument was co\-ered by a Uetse_\- Ross Hag. made b\- mem- 
bers of the .Merion Ch.apter. w itb thirteen stars. .\ detachment of Batterv .\. 
tmder conunand of C;iptain .M . S. Stattord. bred a salute of fort\--ti\'e guns. 



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RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 89 

The following extract from the Philadelphia Ledger, September 15th, 
A. D. 1896, gives additional particnlars: 

"The oration was then delivered by Major Moses Veale, being an 
enlogy of Washington. The exercises were enlivened by patriotic airs 
by the band, and were concluded by the benediction, pronounced by Rev. 
Dr. Olmsted, the rector of St. Asaph's Church. 

"The inscriptions on the granite column are as follows: 'On this and 
adjacent ground Washington's Army encamped September i4tli, 1777. 
Erected by Merion Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Sep- 
tember 14th, 1896. Ground presented by Samuel R. McDowell.' " 

To this it may be added that the Wyoming Bantl, of \Vest Philadel- 
phia, made the country air vocal with sweet music. 

The monument was unveiled by the Regent, Mrs. J. N. Munyon, who 
presided. Miss Margaret B. Harvey, the Historian of the Chapter, read 
an interesting historic paper concerning this location of Washington on 
September 14th, 1777. She gave as authority Lieutenant James 
McMichael's Diary, in the Pennsvlvania .Vrchives, 2d series. Vol. XV. 

The General Wayne Tavern is a two-story stone building, colored 
yellow. A second-story piazza has a railing in front, beautified bv a creep- 
ing vine. The walls of the okl part, next the road, are about twenty-six 
inches thick. James Baird is the jiresent inn-keeper. Washington spent 
a night here, anfl he and Lafa^'ette are said to have dined here more than 
once. Washington is also said to have slept in the old stone house of the 
sexton of Merion Meeting, ne.xt lielow the Inn, on the same side of the road. 

General Potter's militia were in Lower Merion in 1777-78 to protect 
the country people from the British in Philadelphia. Colonel Edward Hes- 
ton warned General Potter of the approach of Cornwallis, and returning 
met \\'ashington. The Colonel's obituary is in the Saliinlav Ez'eiiing Post. 
February 21st, 1824. 

As Miss Harvey described these days at the unveiling of the monu- 
ment, she pointed to the old meeting-house, and toward historic Mill 
Creek, near which embankments remain as abiding monuments of Revolu- 
tionary days. 

Mr. Enoch Enochs, of Ardmore, told her that the patriots camped 
on the Register, or old Croft place, to be near the water and the grist-mill. 

Cornwallis's headquarters were in the old Price mansion, now Brook- 
hurst Inn. 

An interesting article b\' Miss Harvey in the Ih-yii .I/i/ut Home Nezi's 
(Se])tember 4th, 189C1), contains nnich more regarding Re\'olutionarv his- 
tory in Lower Merion, as 1)ut a part of it could be used here. 



90 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

I was struck witli tlie <|iiiet disunity of Old ^lerion Meeting at the 
corner of tlie Old Lancaster Road I Montgomery .\venue) and Meeting- 
house Lane. It stands a little elevated above the road, and a wall upholds 
the ground on the roadside. The dead of many generations sleep in the "acre 
of God," as Saxons piously styled it. around the meeting-house, anil the 
roar of the cannon to-day stirs them not. Friends call the graveyard "the 
Silent Meeting." 

Old Merion Meeting. — \n the .-lincricaii Monthly Magazine (May and 
August, A. D. 1895), Margaret B. Harvey gives the history of this ancient 
temple of God's worship. 

She liegins with the romantic story of Prince Medoc, son of Owain 
Gwynedd, and his voyage in the twelfth century, finding an American land 
of vines, and his second voyage from which the voyager never returned. 

The \\ elsh cherished the trailition, and ^\'illiam Penn in later days 
aided John ap Thomas to realize their \-ision. The Welsh colony came 
to Merion two months before Penn's arrival in 1682. The previous year 
John :\\) Thomas and Sin"geon Edward Jones, of Wales, bought 5,000 acres 
of land of Penn, situated in beautiful Lower Merion. 

The Lower Merion Friends" Meeting-house was erected in i'ig5, where 
it is said an older building of logs had stood. 

The long and remarkable ])edigree of John aj) Thomas is given, tracing 
the line to Adam. The Jones famil}- are of this connection. 

John ap Thomas died, and his friend and relative. Dr. Edward Jones, 
was the leader of the colony. 

Merion Meeting at first guided both secular and religious attairs. 

The early Welsh in Pennsylvania were of noble descent, antl sturdy and 
independent. The okl stone houses and barns of early settlers manifest 
a connection with C";imbrian homesteads in the mother land. 

St. Daxid's C'hurcli, l\a<hior. was ;i Welsh congregation. Some Welsh 
r>ibles ha\e I)een preserved as heirlooms. I)a\id V>. Williams, of Charles- 
ton 'I'ownshi]). in Chester County, owns one. 

J;icnl> Jones founded the Lower Merion Academy in i<Sio. 

Welsh I'elalives were closeK' banded togx'ther. 'Ilu- Welsh l;mguage 
was spoken and used in religious services until after the Revolution. 

Miss Mar\'ey gives the names of the first colonists. Ca\-es on the 
bank of the "Skoolkill ' Ri\er housed many of these earl\- settlers for a time. 

I he lirst record in the old books of Merion .Meeting is the liurial of 
Catharine Kees, daughter of ICdward and Mabby Kees. S. _■_;;. i(iS_>," cor- 
resiKjtuling "to our ( )ctober j_^d. iCnSj." 

For vears the b'riemls helil "religions nu'elin"s" at lluuh Roberts's 



RURAL PENNSVLl'ANIA. 93 

liouse at Pencoycl, aiul marriages were lliere celel)rate(l. One tradition 
places a log- meeting-house near the ])resent huihhng, another would locate 
it nearer Haverford College. The organization of tIa\erford Meeting 
was in 1684. 

Before 1695 Edward Rees sold to Alerion Meeting a piece of land at a 
nominal price. 

The ancient ]\Ieeting-house is on the old Lancaster Road, now Mont- 
gomery Avenue, about a mile from City A\'enue, and a half-mile from 
Narberth railway station. The little buiUling "is in the form of a cross, 
each wing having a high, peaked gable. Each gable end contains an en- 
trance door, covered with an anticjue shingled portico, without supports. 
A shingled pediment or strip of roofing runs across each gable, forming 
the Ijase of a triangle. The windows are set high above the ground, and 
have picturescjue diamond panes. Although built in 1695, the structure 
was remodeled in the i)resent century, so that its age is greatly disguised." 

The interior is carpeted, and white paint is seen, but the wooden 
benches are uncolored. "Two solid oak tables upon which marriage cer- 
tificates were spread" were formerly in the meeting-house, one "was sent to 
the Centennial, and never returned. The peg is still pointed out upon 
which William I'enn hung his hat when he preached to a Welsh congrega- 
tion who could not understand him. A similar peg was stolen by relic 
hunters; its place filled later by one cut from the wood of old-time benches. 
Pieces of these same old benches were borrowed and sent to the World's 
Fair. The meeting-house stands in a beautiful grove of sycamores, maples, 
and cedars. The well-kept graveyard is enclosed by a picturesque stone 
wall, surmounted by a tall iron fence. Upon the low tombstones may be 
read the names of Philadelphia's oldest and best-known families." 

In 1779 Rebecca Roberts's epitaph marks her age as sixty-nine. Jona- 
than Jones died in 1821, aged ninety. He "was the grandson of Dr. Ed- 
ward Jones, the great-grandson of Dr. Thomas Wynne. His wife was 
Sarah Jones, granddaughter of John ap Thomas, and daughter of Thomas 
Jones." 

The "grand old stone Colonial Price mansion" is near the meeting- 
house. Edward Rees owned 1,000 acres here. Price is derived from ap 
Rees, son of Rees. 

Edward Rees was a minister among Friends, and a remarkably able 
preacher. He is generally regarded as the founder of this Meeting. 

Haverford Meeting published several Welsh books. 

Thomas Ellis's Welsh poem, translated by John Humphrey, is given 
in the articles here synopsized, as follows: 



94 RURAL PRXXSYLrAXIA. 

"Pennsylvania, an haljitation. 
With certain, sure, and clear foundation. 
Where the dawning of the day 
Expels the thick, dark niRht away. 

"Lord, give us here a place to feed. 
And pass my life among Thy seed. 
That in our hounds, true love and peace 
From age to age may never cease. 

"Then shall the trees and fields increase. 
Heaven and earth proclaim Thy peace, 
That we and they — forever. Lord, 
Show forth Thy praise with one accord." 

( )iir niaoazine writer adds as to relioious freedom: "It would really 
seem that the pravers of the Keltic hard were answered in the Keltic 
colon}'." 

The P^riends' Book Association of Philadelphia (Fifteenth and Race 
Streets) in 1895 printed an account of the Bi-Centennial Anniversary of 
Alerion Meeting, \vhich occiu'red this year. The acconipan_\ino- ])late in 
this volume was loaned from that work. Joseph \V. Thomas was the 
Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements. Robert M. Janney. Chair- 
man at the celebration, made an introductory address: Alary J. Walker 
gave a valuable historical sketch, and James II. Walker. M. I)., a ])(jem, in 
which occur these lines: 

"Old meeting-house, so plain and quaint. 

Devoid of lofty spire or dome. 
Here many a household's hallowed saint. 

Sought grace divine for use at home. 
The shadows are soothing on thy lawn. 

Thy very atmosphere is peace. 
And the silence creeping our hearts upon 

Bids douhts and discord and rancor cease. 
The hands that 1>uilt tliee, heads that planned. 

And hearts tli.it thee have consecrated. 
Long since their human lives have spanned. 

Their dust to earth, their souls translated!" 

Allen C. Thomas spoke on "What the Friend Has Done in the Past." 
and "The Present Work of the Society" was outlined by Isaac II. Clothier. 
A ])oem of I'rances P>. Ciummere is given, containing these verses: 

"Peace in the wilderness those fathers sought. 
Where through its vales the silent river Hows: 
Peace in the wilderness they found, and taught 
The wilderness to blossom as the rose. 

"Even yet the forest, yet the dales and rills, 
Hamlet or farmstead, all unknown to fame, 



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RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 97 

Brcatlie the old beauty of the Canil)rian hills. 
And bind us with the magic of a name. 

"Ah. dearer still the magic and the power. 

Sprung from the siinple round of birth and death! 
Dearest of all they left us be the dower 
Of virtue, honor, fearlessness, and faith!" 

The following extract is from the I'hilatlelphia Public Lcdt^cr. Januafy 
15th, 1897: 

"Had Sheltered Washington's Horses. — A fire at Narberth last 
evening destroyed a stone barn on Montgomery Avenue, opposite the 
General AX'ayne Hotel, which has been a landmark here for more than a 
centurw and in which General Washington's troops were (|uartered on one 
occasion. The barn was the property of Miss Minnick, and was destroyed." 

Beyond the fine residences of Mr. Belfield and Granville B. Haines 
the turn in Esse.x Avenue before reaching Montgomery Avenue is pic- 
turesque, and on leaving Essex Avenue we quit the borough in crossing 
Montgomery Avenue, and on Mill Creek Road we reach the former Penn- 
Gaskill property on the right, and pass William McDowell's place with its 
mimic lake. 

Pennhurst is now entered, the abode of Mr. and Mrs. Harry S. Hop- 
per, of Philadelphia. The gate-house runs back to Peter Penn-Gaskill's day. 
It is of stone, rough-cast, and is said to have been used in conducting the 
Church of England ser\-ice. The rolling lawn here is extensive, and allowed 
to retain its natural beauty. A chestnut tree, over a hundred years old, 
covered with English ivy, stands at the entrance of a grove. This chestnut 
grove is one of the picturesque points of the place. The mansion is built 
of brick, in Elizabethan style, with square-topped windows, and pointed 
gables, and a double bay-window. The ivy upon it is a cheerful adornment. 

"The white house" is an interesting relic, being the servants' quarters 
in Penn-Gaskill times, and in the style of the main house. The brick stable 
is tasteful, and the ancient hedge dividing the garden into squares is sup- 
posed to be about a hundred years old. The large barn, chicken-house, and 
incubators are tokens of a well-conducted farm. 

Hugh Burgess, inventor and manufacturer of wood-pulp paper, pre- 
ceded the Hopper family as the owner of Pennhurst. He was an English- 
man. He demolished the Penn-Gaskill house, and built the present resi- 
dence. 

Mr. Hopper is a broker in Philadelphia, and Mrs. Harriet Bucknell 
Hopper, is a daughter of William Bucknell, the well-known philanthropist 
of that city, whose generosity is connnemorated in the name of Bucknell 
University at Lewisburg, Pemisylvania, formerly known as Lewisburg 



98 RURAL PEXXSVLr.lXI.l. 

University. An account of his life is given in Lippincott's Biograpliical 
Dictionary. 

;\Ir. Hopper is the son of Sanniel M. Hop])er. and is of English descent, 
the first settlers of the family located themsehes around Xew York and 
in New Jersey. His maternal ancestor was the celebrated Welsh Minister 
among Friends. Hugh Roberts. See Glenn's "Alerion in the Welsh 
Tract," pp. 46, loi, 103. 130, j8o, 3-'3-333- 

In the Penn-Gaskill days this place was called Penn Cottage, and the 
house of Thomas Penn-Gaskill was i)uilt like an English hunting-lodge, 
long and low, the main rooms being on the first floor, and a large drawing- 
room; the building being a story and a half high, after the manner of Swiss 
houses. The outside doorway had deer antlers above it. The stal)les con- 
tained a fine old green coach, with the arms of the family on the side. 
When Thomas Penn-Gaskill returned from England and Ireland he drove 
this coach with four horses for a time, but it was too heavy for American 
roads. 1 am indebted for these reminiscences to Edward S. Sayres, Jr., 
memljers of whose family were intimate with the Penn-Gaskill family. 

In a pleasant dri\c with Mr. Hopjier and two fellow-passengers, the 
span of horses do good service as local historic animals, and we will drive 
our pencil. We see the red-roofed house (if Dr. Register after crossing a 
bridge at the head-waters of Mill Greek, and the remains of an old saw-mill. 

Dr. Register's house has a high position, and pleasant outlook, and 
the place opens on the Gidf Road, which we have now entered. Glo\ellv 
is the name of the Doctor's country-seat, and a pretty wall bounds the 
entrance. 

An old mill on I. Layton Register's place is dated Tf^oo. 

The John Roberts house looks lonely, as it is closed. It belongs to 
the Dodd familw The Dr. Dodd i)lace is back from the road. 

The old Roberts grist-mill bears the date 174*^1. 

Mill Creek is by the side of the road, and a smoke-stack marks the site 
of the old powder-mill; and the ruin of the Scheetz house is passed, which 
used to 1)e thought haunted, as well as the Roberts house. .\ Penn mile- 
stone, with its three balls, lies on the bank, near the Scheetz house. Miss 
Scheetz died not long since in another house near-by on the roadside. 

The Gulf Road was an Indian track. The site of the old i)aper-mill 
shows no token of history, but the beautiful Gulf Mill Dam gives the ever- 
\'ar\ing scene of falling water, working for generations, while tlie ])ond. 
skirted by green woods, makes a jjretty picture, and mimic waterfalls are 
among the broken rocks abo\e, near the stone-crushing machine. 

The Black Rock Road now receives us. Mrs. Charles Wheeler's place 



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RURAL PENNSYLVAXIA. loi 

lies on our left, and the house occupied by her son-in-law. AlcCall Elliott, 
is seen. It is a frame house. pel)I)le-clashed. Pyle's grist-mill and the 
dwelling jjertaining to it are on our right. Morris's Dam is a striking" sheet 
of water here, bounded by a shady wood, welcome in its coolness on a sum- 
mer afternoon, when the cross lights throw shadows of trees in the silvery 
water. 

Thomas C. !Mc\'itt\'s fnie lawn and large house, with l>road porches, at 
the corner of Roberts Road and Montgomery Avenue, is a l)eautiful place, 
with its bright hedge. Stejihen Fuguet built the house. 

Frank Hippie's lawn slopes with a natural terrace to Montgomery 
Aventie. The cozy piazza half seen among the trees is inviting. 

]\Ir. \\'ilbur has a pleasing home near the avenue, and Mr. Gilliams's 
country home is opposite. Howard Roberts, the sculptor, and Mr. Pearce 
have attracti\e residences. ]\Ir. Pearce's house is spacious. Mrs. Richards 
and Mr. George ^^^ Allen are fortunate in dwelling on the same si)lendid 
avenue. 

The Townsend brothers, connected with the Cambria Iron \\'orks, 
and Mr. Kellogg are also here. 

Miss Baldwin's Boarding-school for Young Ladies presents a scholastic 
appearance. 

Mr. Weimar has a solid stone house on the diagonal corner. 

Mrs. Hinckley Smith has a sunnner residence here. 

Mrs. Humphrey's large _\-ellow boarding-house is a well-known feature 
of Bryn ]\Iawr. 

Samuel T. Fox. of Oueen & Co., has a fine residence in this beautiful 
subin"b. 

John Hastings has a pleasant home at the corner of Penn and Mont- 
gomery Avenues. 

The Auchincloss place contains some delightful old trees to mark it. 
Cedar Knoll shows a large light stone house. Rev. Mr. Lycett's familv are 
also on this avenue. Mrs. Thomas Sim])son and Mr. Bade}- are also resi- 
dents here. The ^^'allace place, with its wide lawn, and that of A. Loudon 
Snowden are also on our route. 

The Meriox Cricket Club Grounds comprise ten acres, which 
formerly belonged to the Eldredge Brothers. This is thought to be the 
finest club grounds about the city. The green sward receixed the prefer- 
ence of the English team. It is very beautiful, and the green carpet is being 
trodden as we view it \>y those ])racticing the noble game. 

On Lancaster Pike, at Ha\erford Station, is the residence of A. A. 



I02 RURAL PENNSYLJ-AXIA. 

Hurst. A rural avenue runs l)y the side of the pleasant country home. Ex- 
Senator William H. Hutton's house is opposite Haverford College. The 
ample grounds of that old institution stretch along the pike, and its build- 
ings are seen in the background. 

Xear the .\rdmore toll-gate Frederick L. Bailey and Joshua Bailey 
have pleasant homes. 

Joshua Bailey's house is of a light and cheerful color. ]\Ir. Bailey is 
well known in the city as a man of public spirit. 

Isaac Clothier's large and stately stone mansion, with a square English 
tower and an oriel tower adjoining, is passed. Ivy also gives an English 
look to the mansion. Ballytor is the name of the place. 

W'ynnewood School-house is a country institution of use in the neigh- 
borhood, and one of the .signs of American love of learning. 

N. Parker Shortridge's mansion stretches along the pike, and a large 
farm is in its rear. Mrs. Earle's property adjoins it. The house lies back 
from the road, the grounds furnishing a wide lawn. 

Edward Smith Saxres is noted in Appleton's Cyclopedia of Biography. 
He was born in Marcus Hook, Pa., and died in Philadelphia. His father 
was an eminent physician, Caleb Smith Sayres. The son studied in the 
University of Pennsylvania. He was \'ice-Consul of Brazil, of Portugal, 
of Sweden and Norway, and Denmark. 

Wynnevvood. — Dr. Thomas Wynne came, accompanied by his family, 
in the shij) "W^elcome," with Penn. Edward Jones "Chirugeon," the ances- 
tor of Colonel Owen Jones, was his son-in-law, and he settled beside him. 
Hence came the name Wynnewood. The station on the railway assumed 
this name from this j^lace. 

"Gwyn or \\'ynn means white or fair-haired, and in early times there 
were hundreds of the name in \\'ales." — Howard Williams Lloyd, in 
Glenn's ".Merion in the Welsh Tract," \). 275. There is a reference to the 
appendi.x. 

To this I add the com])arison of Cacr G7\.viit. "the White City." the 
Romans made of the hitter part \'enta, and hence comes Winchester, 
Chester, meaning cam]i. from the Latin castni. — Anthon's Ancient (jeogra- 
phy. p. 197. 

The Owe.v Hou.se. — Thomas Allen Glenn wrote a newspaper sketch 
of this house, giving its history, showing the A\'elsh character and strength 
of men of twcj centuries comiected with the old mansion. 

Colonel Owen Jones's house used to be styled the "William Penn 
House," because he often tarried there. It was built in 1^^194. and finished 



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RURAL PENNSYLrAXlA. 105 

in 1695, as a date on the corner-stone testifies. Several Philadelphia fami- 
lies of note can trace their ancestry to this house. It was modeled after an 
"old Welsh manor-house," hut has heen altered of late years. 

The names of Cadvvalader, W'ister, lliddle. Dickinson, Wharton, and 
Lewis appear in this connection. 

"It is well known that the Duke of Fife, the husliand of the Prince 
of \\'ales' eldest daug-hter, traces descent from the Cadwaladers, so that a 
possible heir of the English throne is descended from an ancestor who two 
centuries since dwelt in this Innnhle manse." 

Robert Owen was the first Welsh comer here, in 1690, and the next 
vear bought of the Deputy Governor. Thomas Lloyd, a tract reaching- 
from Wynnewood to Ardmore. Here he Iniilt a log hut, and soon the erec- 
tion of the stone house commenced. A bountiful house-warming, with 
venison from the Indians and other good cheer, opened the house. 

Owen was a Magistrate and Member of Assembly, a planter, and a 
Minister among Friends. He was supplied with books, which were not 
abundant in those days. He died in iC)97, his wife ha\ing died liefore him. 
His son F.\'an was heir to the ]i1antati()n. He removed to Philadelphia, and 
was a Provincial Councillor and a Jutlge. In 1707 he sold the old place 
to Jonathan Jones, his brother-in-law, who was the son of Dr. Edward 
Jones, of Merion. Jonathan married Evan's sister, Gainor (Jwen, and the 
descendants of this marriage lix'ed in the house until about a half a century 
ago. 

Owen Jones, the eldest son, "was born in 171 1." He was F'roxinci.'d 
Treasurer. Colonel Owen Jones, his descendant, was a Congressman, and 
also a Colonel of the First Pennsylvania Cavalry. His son. Aubrey Jones, 
Esq.. died unmarried. Colonel Owen Jones's widow now lives in the old 
mansion. She is a descendant of Robert Owen. 

Owen Owen, the second son of Robert, became "High Sheriff and 
Coroner of Philadelphia. His daughter Sarah married John Diddle. Their 
sons were Owen and Clement Piddle, of the Revolution, ancestors of a well- 
known line of I'hiladelphians." 

General John Cadwalader's daughter "Frances married, in 1800, Lord 
Erskine. from whom the i^resent Duke of I'^ife and a numlier of other noble 
luiglish families come." 

See. also. Glemi's "Merion in the Welsh Tract." pp. 2(>\. etc. 

The (lid while mansion draws the attention of the railwax' travelers, 
but on nearer a]i]iroach both the exterior and interior are found to be an- 
tique and picturesque in a high degree. It is one of the best specimens 
of an ancient Pennsyhania home in this region. 



io6 RURAL PENXSVLl'ANIA. 

Man'hkook. — This name was suggested In- a. brook running through 
tiicse beautiful grounds. Tlie greater part of this tract was purcliased \>y 
Henry C. Gibson from the \\'ynnewood estate about A. D. 1881, when the 
stone house was constructed from plans by Cieorge \\'. Hewitt. A great 
variety of different kinds of trees were planted by Mr. Gibson, embracing 
s])eciall\' oaks and maples. The traveler along the Penns\'l\ania Railway 
has for years observed the pines and evergreens and shrubs which give a 
rural beauty to this spot, as if it were attempting to return to the days 
when Welsh settlers found the forests here. The mansion stands far back 
from the railwav. gix'ing C|uiet and retirement. 

X. Parker Shortridge's resilience is in a cheerful lawn, studded with 
trees, which surround the dwelling. A hedge bounds the lawn. The 
property adjoins Wynnewood Station. 

Rkdi.e.vf. — On Lancaster Avenue, near Wynnewood Station. Penn- 
sylvania Railroad, is "Redleaf." the residence of Air. William P. Henszey. 
The property contains about forty-eight acres, and the greater part was 
purchased from the estate of Thomas P. Remington, who. about forty-live 
}ears ago. had a \-ery large tract, which he laid out as a park, with clri\-es 
and walks, planting it with a great \ariet_\- of trees, many of them rare and 
valuable, which, added to the native forest trees, made it a most beautiful 
spot. Through the back part of the property runs a small stream, known 
as Indian Creek, which furnishes power through a water-wheel to ])ump 
from an excellent spring a Ijountiful supply of water. The suj^idy is sutiti- 
cient for household uses, as well as for stable and greenhouses. 

The house stands about twn hundred feet from Lancaster .\\enue. 
wb.ich it faces, and is built of a dark gray stone from the neighborhood, 
with some Ijrick and frame, making altogether an agreeable combination. 
It was erected in 1881 from ])lans bv Messrs. I-"urness iS: L\ans, the well- 
known architects. The most iirominent features of the front are a stone 
piazza and ]3orte-cocliere. a l)rick and frame tower, and a large semicircular 
window, rising the full height of the building. The main hail, extending 
ihrough to the back ])orch, is tniishe(l in cherry, and has a ])aneled ceiling. 
On the right of this hall are the rece])tion and drawing-rooms. The re- 
ce]')tion-room is finished in mahoganx", with fresct)etl walls and ceiling. The 
drawing-room is in white and gold, and i^ a tyi)ica! e.xam])le of Louis W'l 
stvle. Opposite the drawing-room is the nuisic-room, with w.ainscotin^ 
and ceiling of o.ak. b'roni the nuisic-room _\-ou enter the dining-room, 
which has many novel features, and is cpiile beautiful. The wainscoting 
and beams of ceiling are of (|uartered oak. In the ceiling is a sk\light with 
cathedral glass, at the enil of the rooni a hue, large tire])lace an<l mantel 



?3 




;^^-;?;#v-..-*vj4*<j^ ■■■; 



RURAL PENNSyWANIA. 109 

of Caen stone, haiidsonielv carved, with a scniicicnlar stained-glass window 
oiiening throug']i the chimney breast. The stairwa)- is a [ileasing feature 
in the hall, and has a large stainetl-glass window on the lantling. In the 
hall opposite the stairs is a large stone fireplace, with mantel and looking- 
glass above. Through an arched passage you enter the library, a very at- 
tractive room. The book-cases, wainscoting and beams of ceiling are of 
mahogany, and the large fireplace and chimney of red sandstone make quite 
a striking feature. Beyond the library and extending across tlie east end 
of the house is the art-room. In this room may be found excellent exam- 
ples of most of the prominent painters, as well as handsome bronzes and 
statuary. The second fioor contains the sleeping-rooms, with dressing 
and bath-rooms, also linen-room and fine large sitting-room. The third 
fioor has store-rooms and ser\-ants" quarters. Distributed through the 
house may be found a large collection of interesting and valuable bric-a- 
brac, much of which has been purchased by !\Ir. Henszey in his travels 
abroad, and altogether the house has a \'ery homelike and attractive appear- 
ance. In aildition to the house there are on the grounds stable, green- 
houses, and houses for coachman and gardener. 

Mr. Henszey is a native of Philadelphia, graduate of the Central High 
School, and one of the proprietors of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, with 
which he has been connected since 1859. 

Ardmore. — In the Pcititsylz'aiiia Railroad Men's Nczvs (June, 1896), 
W'm. Bender Wilson narrates the troubles experienced in the establishment 
of the Pennsyhania Railroad. Charters were obtained, at first bv the in- 
fiuence of John Stevens, the inventor, under Governor Hiester, with John 
Connelly as President of the corporation, but capital was timid in regard 
to the new undertaking, and oppositon was strong, and the charters failed 
to ])rotluce the desired result. E\-en $5,000 wished by Ste\'ens to prepare 
a mile of road for operation could not be secured. 

The following quotation fits our region, and also is historic as to the 
great railway which traverses the section described in this volume. It is 
from an expert in this matter: 

"By the ist of October, 1834, the last spike was driven in the double, 
or second track. Commencing at the corner of Broad and \'ine Streets, 
Philadelphia, the road reached the Schuylkill River at the Columbia Bridge, 
on which it crossed. At the western end of the bridge it became an in- 
clined plane, 2,805 feet in length, rising to a height of 187 feet. The height 
reached, it continued to about the present Ardmore Station, where it pro- 
ceeded on the same general line as now exists through Chester and Lan- 



no RURAL PEXXSYLFAXIA. 

caster Counties to Coluinhia, where, after desceiidiiit;- a plane of i,8oo feet in 
length and ninety feet in height, it ended at the canal basin, which was 
a harbor for boats to lie in whilst the captains waited for a clearance through 
the outlet lock into the Tide-Water Canal southward, or for one to move 
westward over the rennsylvania Canal. The [ilanes were never satisfac- 
torv, being slow and expensive in their operating. They were hardly coni- 
])leted before means were undertaken looking to their removal. One track 
of the Belmont plane was avoided on October 15th. 1850. and the other 
earlv in 185 i. l)v the construction of the West Philadelphia Railroad frt)m 
a point near the present Ardmore Station to the west end of the Market 
Street Bridge. That piece of line forms part of the present one." 

The whole article under review would l)e interesting to those who 
wish to know the history of the Pennsylvania Railroad — that great artery 
of the State which conveys the blood from Philadel])hia as the heart to the 
remotest regions touched by its iron links, or traversed by its iron horses. 

Rev. Roland Ringwalt in the same numl)er of the Magazine here 
(|uoted gives an interesting article on the progress of transportation since 
Jew and Roman, Briton and Greek received their stale news, and made 
their slow journeys. He says. "Men still living remember the day when 
Simon Cameron was ridiculed for his ])redicti()n that a railroad would enable 
a Philadelphian to leave his home in the morning, dine at Harrisburg. and 
sleep in his own home the same night. In a short time the public began to 
clamor for swifter transportation. Towns which had considered a train in 
and a train out ])er dav liberal treatment, demanded more trains anil quicker 
runs. During the war the necessity of transporting great masses of troops 
and supplies quickened the ingenuity of railroad men. Still later the 
growth of cities and the development of the excursion business imposed 
further burdens on railroad officials. 

"Track elexation has made it ])ossible for an express train to rush 
through large towns. Young Philadelphians remember when returning 
from country rambles they alighted in West I 'hiladelphia and waited for a 
horse-car tcj bring them to the heart of the city. The opening of the Broad 
Street Station was justly regarded as an event of the highest importance, 
yet Broad Street Station in a few years required enlargement, and the in- 
creased demand for tr.iveling facilities now necessitates a bridge across the 
Delaware." 

Those who wish to read of the "De\elo|)ment of Transportation Sys- 
tems in the United States" may satisfy themselves in a large and highly 
illustrated volume by the late J. L. Ringwalt, editor of the Raili^vy World, 



•< 



i 

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RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 113 

tlie father of tlie last-quoted writer. 'Flic Conestoga wagon and country 
inn, and I'ennsvlvania canal-boat, and Indian trail, and snow-shoe and 
sledge are here mingled with later days of steam locomotives. 

St. PAt.'L'.s Lt'TiiKRAX Chlrcii, Lowi:r Mekion. — This old parish is 
described in Colonel Bean's History of Montgomery County. Five acres 
have been added to the graveyard since that article was written. Rev. 
IMelancthon Coover became pastor in A. D. 1890, and is doing faithful and 
acceptable work for Christ in the jiarish. Kex'. J- H. Heck was pastor from 
1862 to 1868. Re\-. II. J. Watkins succeeded him in 1868, and remained 
r.ntil 1874. TluMiew church was dedicated in A. I). 1875. Charles Kugler 
was teacher and tjflicer in the Sunday-school from fifty to sixty years. The 
old church location was a little way from the village, near the present 
parsonage. 

St. ]\!.\rv"s Episcop.\l Church. — This parish has an excellent church 
building, and has grown rapidly. The present Rector is doing faithful work. 

St. Mary's was an oft'shoot from the Church of the Redeemer. The 
Rev. L. B. Thomas was the first Rector. He was succeeded ])y the Rev. 
J. .S. Kent, now deceased. Mr. Kent was followed by the Rev. A. J. Arnold, 
and the Rev. \\'. W. Steel was his successor. Mr. Thos. E. Baird is the 
Rector's Warden, and James M. Rhoads, Accounting Warden. There is 
a Mission, with la\' services, at Toddtown. 

The church was admitted to the Diocesan Convention in A. D. 1887. 
There is a Mission Sunday-school, and St. Mary's Guild, with seven chap- 
ters, and a Brotherhood of St. Andrew Junior Auxiliary. St. Mary's 
Laundrx' largely assists the poor by gi\-ing them emplo}ment. 

The I\ev. .\. 1".. Piper, pastor of The M.\tthew Simtson Memorial 
M. I'".CnL'RCH, named in honor of Bishop Simpson, at Ardmore, reports that 
it had its first meeting in Dirigo Hall, Lancaster Pike, September 5th, .\. D. 
1893. It is an outgrowth largely of St. Luke's M. E. Church, of Bryn 
Jilawr. It now has a Sunday-school of seventy-five, and a church mem- 
bership of seventy. The Ijeautiful new church, the gift of Mrs. .\llen B. 
Rorke, of Ardmore. was dedicated in May of this year, 1896. The pastor is 
ably aided in his work by a corps of active men and women. 

I add to Rev. IMr. Piper's sketch a 1)rief notice of Bishop Simpson, from 
"The Makers of Philadelphia." edited by Charles Morris, and published 
by L. R. Hamersly & Co. 

This worthy leader in the Church of Christ was a native of Ohio, born 
in A. D. 1810. He traveled largely, going all around the world. He "de- 
livered the final address at Springfield, Illinois, when the body of the mur- 
dered President was placed in the tomb." This was done b)- the rerpiest of 



114 



RURAL PEXNSVLrANIA. 



Mrs. Lincoln. In 1863 lie alily advocated the L'nitcd States Government 
in our Ci\il War l)y addresses in England. .\s a liislio]) and preacher he 
was ever actixe, and did nuich to aihance the Church. Me wrote "A Hun- 
dred ^'ears of Methodism." and "Lectures on I^reaching." The lectures 
were delivered at Vale College in 1SS2 and 1883. The Bishop died in Phila- 
delphia on June 17th, 1884. .\ picture of his strong and earnest face is 
gixen in "The Makers of I'hiladelpliia." 




The M.\tthi:w Simi'.son Mk.mokial Ciiuklh. 



Page 113. 



Ardnmrc has a l'>a])tist Church, which is a neat wooden huilding stand- 
ing a little way from the main street (if tl:e town. It is under the care of 
Re\'. Charles M. Reed as its ]iastiii". 

St. ( ;|':()K(;i-:s. — Dr. Joseph W ilNon Anderson's old place, with its (|uiet 
anil rustic look, is a ])leasruU coinrast to the modern life in the suhurh of 
.\rdmore. Koletaria, Irish yew trees, magnolias, a pecan-nut tree, a \er\ 
large persinnnon tree, with hjiglish canoe-hirch trees l)righten the lawn. 

I)r. James AndersDii. son of Isaac. ])urchased a f;n-m in Lo\\i-|- .Merion 
Townshi]). Ills first wife was Sarah Thomas. ;uid his second wife. .Marx- 
Wilson. Tliere were fifteen childi'en. six li\- the secoml wife, of whom three 
survi\'c. Dr. Joseph W ilson. John 1'.. and Miss Corona. 



RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. n; 

St. (ieor^es entrance ^ate. witli its solid stone pillars, meets the pedes- 
trian just after leaxint;- tlie station. A slopin;.;' walk, bordered by an 
oreliard, runs to the mansion. 

J)r. James .\nderson, the father of the present family, was for many 
rears an honored medical practitioner, ridinj;- many a Xow^ mile in sum- 
mer's heat and winter's cold and storm, like the good physician. Dr. 
MacLure, in Ian AlacLaren's "Bonnie Briar Bush." 

The famil}- have been noted in this vicinity as ph)-sicians of rejjute, 
Dr. Benjamin S. Anderson and his son. Dr. Edward Lane Anderson, and 
Samuel Lane Anderson are well known in their profession. 

Philip Syng-. grandfather of Dr. Philip Syng Physick, owned this place, 
and his two sisters enlarged the house, and it was again enlarged by Dr. 
James Anderson. 

Dr. Joseph Wilson Anderson's great-great-grandfather. James Ander- 
son, was born in 1690, coming to this country in very early manhood. He 
married Elizabeth Jerman, of Philadelphia. Thex' purchased nearly a thou- 
sand acres in Chester County, near N'alley I'orge. Their son, Patrick 
.Anderson (1719 to 1793), was a man of superior character, and was Alajor 
in Colonel Anthony W^ayne's battalion of Chester County, Pennsylvania 
"Minute ALmi," July Jist, 1775, and Captain in Colonel Samuel John Atlee's 
.Musketry Battalion, Pennsylvania Line. March 15th, 177^). His son. Lieu- 
tenant Isaac .\nderson, was a member of Congress. 1S03 to 1807; Ensign. 
Sixth Company of Eifth Battalion, May, 1777; h^irst Lieutenant, May 24th, 
1779, of Chester County Militia. His son, James Anderson, M. D., 
jwrchased this place early in this century. His son, Joseph Wilson Ander- 
son, M. D., is the present resident. 

The family have been well-known jihysicians. including Dr. Isaac 
Wesley Anderson, the oldest son of Dr. James Anderson, ami 
brother of Dr. Joseph \Vilson i\nderson; an uncle was Dr. Lsaac Anderson, 
and his son was Dr. Benjamin S. Anderson. Dr. Edward Lane Ander- 
son and Dr. S.'unuel Lane Anderson are sons of Benjamin Anderson, 
Dr. James .\nderson, father of Dr. Joseph \\'. Anderson, was a man of 
muisualiy line character. He was truth itself, for which he was greatly 
honored. Dr. James Anderson had a third son, who was a physician, 
James Push Anderson, who ne\-er practiced, having afterward studied for 
the ministry in the ]\Iethodist Episcopal Church. James Rush .Anderson 
haj; one son, a physician. Dr. Erank Thomas .Anderson. Dr. Isaac Ander- 
son, and his son. Dr. Benj. S. Anderson, Dr. Benjamin's sons. Dr. Edward 
Lane Anderson and Dr. Sanuiel Lane Anderson, are in this medical family. 
The last is the onlv one li\ing of that particular family. 



ii8 RURAL PEXXSVU-.IXI.l. 

A memorial Prcsliyteri.in Chapel at Keystone, on the West Chester 
Pike, commemorates the late Dr. ivlward I.ane Anderson, son of Dr. ben- 
jamin Anderson. He was a young- man of beautiful Christian character 
and rare excellence. 

] doubt whether another family in the world can count so many doc- 
tors in its record, within the same number of generations, unless it be in a 
land where the profession is hereditary. 

Dirck Sipman sold to Matthias \'an Bebber a tract of land on the Skip- 
p.'ick Creek in Perkiomen Township in Montgomery County, wlm by allow- 
ance and further ]»urcliase increased it to "(i.\(iCi acres located by ])atenl 
February jjd, 170.2." This '"adjoined Edw;u"d Lane and \\ illiam Ilarmcr, 
near what is now the villag"e of F.\ansburg." The lAanses and Lanes were 
related. The l;ite l-'.dward lAaus, of lUistlcton. is of the family. Harriet 
]-ane. I'resideiU Uuchan.'m's niece, now .Mrs. Johnson, is of this line. The 
land sale is noted in Judge l'enny]>acker"s Historical and Ihograjihical 
Sketches, ]>. 3'). This book is a useful contribution to I 'enusyb aula his- 
torw It was publishe(l b\- Robert .\. 1 rip]ile. I'hiladelphia, iSS_;;. The 
extract is from the article. "The Settlement of Germantown." which had 
appeared in the Pennsyhania Magazine of History and I'iography. \'ol. 
IV. ]). 1. 

Mill Creek. — Dr. Henry C. Register's stone mansion at Mill Creek 
Lower Alerion, was constructed by Furness. Evans & Co. on a hillside, at a 
point where the rural view extends along Mill Creek Valley. Local stone 
furnished the material for the building, which is two stories high, with .a 
red slate roof. It is of a composite style of architecture. Mr. Register 
was born at New Castle. Delaware, and educated at F.lkton .\c;idemy. in 
Marvland. under the tuition of Colonel I'eahtz. He recei\ed .a medical 
degree at Jefferson College. I'hiladelphia. and ;i dental degree at Pennsyl- 
v.ania Dental College, Philadelphia. 

I.\ xiUKsr is the name of I. Layton Register's place, near llaxerford 
ami Ai'dmore. 'Lnu" designates the stream and water-fall, and "hurst" 
the I'xteusixe woods which adorn the fort\ acres surroundmg this charm- 
ing country-seat. The stream is utilized by an overshot wheel at the fall, 
as ])ower to force water from a s])i-ing- to the house as well as the stable. 

Trout Run is the rustic n.ame of the lishing stream which runs through 
Mr. Register's place and em])ties into Mill Creek, but ci\iliz;ition, or the 
lloods which swec]) along, ha\e caused the linny tribe to dei)art. 

Mr. Register has resided here in the summer foi- ten years. The house 
of bluish gray stone, with slate roof, w'as constructed after he purchased the 
farm from designs of h'urness. F,\ans & Co.. from stone on the ])l;ice. 



m 
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RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 121 

The attractions of tlie country and tlie con\-cnient access to the cit}' 
have intluenced the owner to make a premanent liome of what was first oc- 
cui)ie(l as a country-seat. The land is rolHng, and tlie residence is on a 
\-ery conimandino; site, covering a \-ie\v of a cin^ve in Mill Creek \'alley. 

Mr. Register has ver_\' successfully managed the Ec|uitahle Life .\ssur- 
ancc Society's lousiness in Pennsyhania since March 13th. iSAf). He is a 
nati\e of Delaware, and one of the originators of the Society of the Sons of 
Delaware, and its first President. He is a relative of Judge Layton, of 
Delaware, whose name he l^ears. The life of Judge Caleb S. Layton is 
gixeii in Scharf's History of Delaware, with a portrait. \'o]. 1. pp. 53S, 539. 
Mr. Register is quite prominent in the Masonic Order, and a member of the 
Historical Society of Penns}'l\ania, and the Ciiion League, and several 
other organizations, including the Philadelphia Association of Life Under- 
writers, of which he was President for three _\-ears. 

h\)LLY F.\RM was so styled because its owner, Irwin N. Megargee, 
in conducting a model dairy and stock farm, found the work unprotitable. 
The place is h.icated in Lower Merioii Townshi]). the farm comprising forty- 
five acres. Mr. Megargee purchased the place of John Baltz, in ,\. D. 
1892, it being the old family homestead, and remodeled the antique stone 
house, preserving the Colonial style. .\n artesian well gives an ample sup- 
]il\' of water. The house is on a high location, (iverlooking all the sur- 
rounding countrx', including Roxborough. and at night the electric lights 
on the towers of Ciirard College are visible. 

The en\iroiis are simple and rustic, but the mansion bursts upon the 
view a little while before reaching it. The two dri\eways run through high 
hills and wooded land; aufl the ])roprietor has macadamized about a mile of 
road on his own i)lace. 

Mr. Megargee is a member of a family which has been connected with 
the paper-making industry for eighty years. 

'Die country jilace here described is between Ardmore, on the Penn- 
syhania Railroad, and l\ose Glen, or Shawmont, on the Philadelphia & 
Reading Railway. 

Thorncroft. — The above name is a family one among the English 
ancestors of Mrs. Elizabeth Thorncroft Rorke. wife of .Mien Bearley 
Rorkc. the ])roprietor of the mansion. Ceorge Hewitt was the architect 
of the gray stone edifice of ample dimensions, surrounded bv a ])iazza, and 
surmounted ])y light-colored dormer-windows and striking chinmevs, which 
stands on Montgomery .\venue. It was built for Mr. Rlunmer, who sold to 
James Mc.Mlister, who li\ed here several years, and in turn sold the property 
to Mr. Rorke about ten \-ears since. He added \arious embellishments 



122 RURAL PENXSVU'AXIA. 

and improxfinents to the liouse. with a jiorte-cocliere. and imiiroxed the 
t^TDund and roads, and ereeted an artistic stahle witli a red tile roof. .\ 
pleasant lawn, with a nattn'al terrace, surrounds the mansion. Heavy stone 
gate-posts Ijear a monogram of tlie owner's name. 

Air. Rorke is the l)ni!der of the Bourse and Betz lUiilding. and has long 
been known as one of the most prominent builders and contractors in this 
country. 

This is his summer abode, his beautiful city home is on South Eigh- 
teenth Street. 

A sketch of Mr. Rorke's bus\" life, with a porti"ait. is gi\eu in "The 
Makers of Philadelphia." edited by L'liarles Morris, and jiublished by L. R. 
Hamersly & Co. (rhiladel])hia). I lis life is also (pioted in "'idie (ialler\- 
of Eminent Men of l'hiladel])liia."' 

The Mkriox Title & Trtst Company of .VunMoRF.. — This company 
was chartered in .March, 18.S9, and located temporarily in a room in a store 
building on Lancaster A\enue in the \illage of .\rdmore. Its organization 
was responsive to a demand in the rapidlv growing conununit\- for facili- 
ties afforded b\- such an institution, and its success has been assured from 
the outset in the patronage bestowed, not only by the immediate residents 
of the \-illage, Init as well by business men and private citizens residing at 
a distance. The constantly increasing business warranted the management 
in securing additional facilities and more commodious quarters, and in con- 
seciuence a new and larger building has been recently completed by the 
company, accommodating in addition to the banking-rooms and title 
offices, three stores, the Post-( )t¥ice. Western I'nion Telegraph and Tele- 
phone office, two lodge-rooms, and nine ot'tices, nearly all of which are oc- 
cnjjied, and also comfortable c|uarters for the janitor ami his family. 

The new building is three stones high, and is about fioxioo feet in area, 
built of Pompeian brick, with stone trinunings. ornate in ai>])earauce and 
substantial in e\erv jiarticular. I'lie architect. Mr. I). Judge DeXcan, oc- 
cupies conuuodious ol'hces in the building, as does also Mr. Joseph Dyson, 
the contractor for the erection of the largest and latest constructed wing. 

The mrmagement of the coni]);in\' ha\e endeax'ored to m.ake it a neces- 
sity to the conununity. and to this end lia\e catered to the w.ints of the 
village by enabling them to secure a i)lace of deposit not only for money 
and \aluable jiajjcrs, but ;dso for the safekeeping of silver plate and larger 
articles of household treasure, and as a consecpience its steel vaults and 
safe deposit cases, made by Stiffel (.I- Freeman, of Philadclj^hia, compare 
favorably with those of man\ of the institutions in the larger cities de- 
voted to similar business. 



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2; 




RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 125 

Tlic present officers of tlie company are as follows: Josiah S. i'carce, 
President; Walter \V. Hood. X'ice-President ; R. J. Hamilton, Secretary 
and Treasurer. Directors: W'ni. (i. Lesher. Josiah S. Pearce. I-iichard Ham- 
ilton. W. Henry Sutton. R. J. Hamilton, H. A. Arnold, M. 1).. Jacob 
Myers. Walter W. Hood. Allen li. Rorke, Henry Becker, John L. Carn- 
cross, Clias. A. \\'arner. 

Ty'n-y-Coed. — This Welsh name means a house in the woods, and 
was given to his place by Effingham B. Morris as suitable hn- an estate lying- 
in the old Welsh Tract in Lower Merion Townshii), about a mile north 01 
Ardmore, on the hills overlooking J\fill Creek. 

Mr, Morris purchased eighteen acres from the estate of Joseph K. 
Eyre, in A. D. 1886. The stone house was erected that year from designs 
of Addison Hutton. Mill Creek runs through the lower part of the place, 
and ;d>(iut twelve acres are left in natixc woodland. The mansion stands 
on a high position, being about a hundred feet above the road. 

The Philadelphia Public Ledger (January ist, 1897) thus noticed the 
election of Mr. Morris as a Director of the Pennsylvania Railroad: 

"The new Director is a son of Israel ^V. Morris, a mining engineer of 
high standing, who is President of the Locust Mountain Coal Compan\- 
and other coal mining corporations connected with the Lehigh Valley Rail- 
road. Effingham F>. Morris was born in Philadelphia. .Vugust .23d. 1856, 
in the <ild Morris house, on Eighth Street, below W'rdnut. which, at inter- 
\als of a generation, has twice been occui)ied by four generations of the 
family at the same time. He graduated from the Laiix-ersity of Pennsyl- 
vania in 1875. and practiced law in associatinn with P. IVmberton Morris, 
LL.D., to whose practice he succeeded on the latter's death. lie was 
general attorney for tiie Lehigh Valley Railroad Company for some years. 
and solicitor for the Girard Trust Company until his election as President 
of that coriioratiim in 1887. Mr. Morris was a director of the Union 
League for three years. He is a manager of the Pennsylvania Hos]Mtal. 
where he succeeded his uncle, the late Wistar Morris, as he now does in the 
Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He has exceptional ability for dis- 
posing of work and getting through with whate\er he has in hand at the 
moment by attending steadily to that until it is finished, and then being 
able to turn to the next one of his many occupations without apparent 
diUicidty and ;dwa_\'s with successful results. He comes of stock identified 
with the city from its foundation, his direct progenitor, Anthony Morris, 
having been a Justice of the Supreme Court under \\'illiam Penn in 1692, 
and the second Mayor of the city. His great-great-grandfather was Captain 



126 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

Samuel Alonis, of tlie First City Troop during the Revolution, and all the 
descendants have Ijcen men of standing in the community in their day." 

Havekford. — "Hax'erforcl (Al)er-fford), tlie ford of the contluence." 
— Clovercroft Chronicles, 1)\- Mary Rhoads Haines, p. i8o. 

In Richard Frame's poetical description of Penns}l\ania. ])rinted l)y 
William Bradford, in 1692, this line occurs: 

"There's Haverford uliere tli' W'clchiucn do abide." 

r>RU.HTsr().\i-;. — In Colonel liean's Histor",' of Montgonier\- C i>unt\ 
the lionorahle W. Henry Sutton's life is sketched, and we condense the 
narrative. hie was then a l\c]>rescntali\c in the State Senate from .Mont- 
gomery Count\-. J lis l)ii-tli])lace is Haddontield, X. J. His father, Rew 
Henry Sutton, was a faithful Mctiiodist minister. Senator Sutton studied 
in l)ickinscin C'ollege. and the \\ esleyan Cnixersily. and the Law School 
of the Uni\ersity, .Mhany, X. \'. He read law with llun. Win. M. Mere- 
dith, and has long practiced his profession in Philadelphia. He attained 
distinction in the Elm luurder case, the ]iarticulars of which are given in 
Colonel Bean's History, pp. 517, 51S. The wife of .Mr. Sutton is Hannah 
C. daughter of Dr. Isaac W. .\tiderson rmd Martha \'ocum Crawford. St. 
Luke ^Methodist Ii])iscopal Church, lirxn Mawr, contains a beautiful 
meiuorial window re])resenting St. Luke, the heloxed ])h\siciau. in niemor\ 
iif Hr. Jaiues .\nderson, and his sons. Dr. Isaac W. and Dr. |. Rush .\nder- 
son. Mr. Sutton has been honored with \arious important oltices in the 
(ieneral Societies of the Methodist I^iiiscojial Cliin"ch, as well as in liis town- 
shiji and county. St. Luke Church, at I'ryn Mawr, arose under ( iod 
largeK' thronglt his efforts. In the Legislature his inlluence was felt in 
useful bills ]>re])ared b\ his wise judgment. He has e\'er been a faithful 
toiler from \(uith u]). being methodical and industrious, as a fellow lawver 
represents him, with thorough ])re]iaration and a clear mitid, em'iched b\- 
study, which shows itself in forcible and elo(|ueiU addresses to a jury. lie 
is courteous to ;d!. 

I add that Dr. Is.aac Anderson, the father of Mrs. .Sutton, was the son 
of Dr. James Anderson, who li\i-d at Locust (iro\-e. at the eighth mile-stone 
on Lancaster .\\enue. (.See St. (ieorges, Ardmore, in this volume, for ;t 
sketch of the Anderson family.) 

Mr. .'^uttdn's son, I Inward Anderson, is a gr;idnate i>f \\'eslc\;m I'ni- 
\ersity and a student of medicine at the L'niversity of I'ennsx ]\ ania. fnl 
lowing the traditional ])rofession of the famil}'. The ancestor of this fam- 
il_\' was Daniel Sutton, who came o\er, it is siiii]iosed, in the shi)) "V.w- 
deavor," and settled in lUirlington, N. J., in 1^)83. The Suttons were noted 



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RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 129 

in the Re\-olution, \V. Henry Sutton's great-g-randfather (Jose])h) having 
l)cen a Revolutionary officer in Captain Nixon's troop of Light Horse, of 
Middlesex, N. J., and his grandfather (also Joseph) an officer in the \Var 
of 1812. His maternal great-grandfather was Isaac Clendennin, an officer of 
Colonel Scudder's New Jersey Militia, who enlisted five times during the 
War of the Ive\-olution. 

The five acres which comprise the country-seat were purchased of Dr. 
James Anderson. The place is on Lancaster Avenue, in front of the cam- 
pus of Haverford College. The house was built in A. D. 1877 and 1878, 
the architect being Mr. J. C. Sidney, and the builder, Mr. Davis, of Consho- 
hocken. The material of the dwelling is gray stone. The place is called 
Lrightstone by reason of the mica sparkling in the stone. 

H.WERFORD College. — Tiie following is from the College Circular 
of A. D. 1895-96, printed at Mt. Holly. Pa.: 

"In the spring of 1830, a meeting of a few Friends in Philadelphia, 
shorll)- followed by a similar meeting in New York, originated Ha\-erford 
School. The joint connnittee ex|)ressed the object of the efforts as fol- 
lows: 'The members of the Society of Friends, having hitherto labored 
under very great disadvantages in obtaining for their children a guarded 
education in the higher branches of learning, combining the requisite lit- 
erar\- instruction with a religious care over the morals and manners of the 
scholars. . . . and carefully preserving them from the influence of corrupt 
principles and evil communications, it is therefore proposed that an insti- 
tution be estal)lished in which the children of Friends shall receive a liberal 
education in ancient antl modern literature, and the mathematical and t)ther 
sciences.' 

"On the j8th of Tenth month. 1833. the school opened with twenty- 
one students. Provision had been made for three teachers and a superin- 
tendent. A Teacher of Ancient Languages and .Ancient Literatiux'. .\ 
Teacher of English Literature, and Mental and Moral Philosophy. A 
Teacher of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. 

"In 1845 a temporar_\' suspension was decreed, to allow the funds to 
accumulate and give time for the collection of an endowment, which sus- 
pension lasted for. three years. In 1852 the observatory was built, and 
supplied with an 8-inch ec[uatori;d and 4-inch transit. In 1856 the school 
was changed to a college, and authorized liy the Legislature to grant de- 
grees, Init previous to this time the course had been as extended as in many 
colleges. It was still hampered with a large preparatory department, 
which was not abolished until 1861. In 1863 the Alumni Hall and Library 
were built. In 1876-77 Barclay Hall, containing |)rivate dormitories and 
studv-rooms, was erected , at a cost of $82,000, which was collected bv sub- 



I30 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

scription. Tlie Chemical Laboratories were impro\e(l in 187S. The new 
Observatory was Iniilt in 1X83, tlie Aleclianical Lal)iiratory cstal)lished in 
1884. and a new liuiliHng erected in 1890; the Biolooical Laboratory was 
established in 1886, and the Physical Laboratory in 1888. Chase Hall, 
for lectnre and recitation rooms, was bnill in 1888. and the Cricket Shed 
in 1893. 

"During this time Haverford had developed into a fully organized 
college. Students of any denomination were admitted, though Friends 
still retained the general control. 'I'he number of teachers was increased 
five-fold. r>\- \arious (k)nations and be(|uests the endowment fund was en- 
larged. Retaining the (jld idea of a 'guarded education' and 'a religious 
care over morals and manners," the college has sought to effect these re- 
sults, and has measurablv succeeded, rather b\- ai)peals to Christian princi- 
ple and m.'udiness than 1)\- arbitrarv ])ower. 

"The college has a remarkably pleasant and healthful location in the 
township of Haverford. Delaware Countx', I'a. The l)uildings are sur- 
rounded by grounds of about si\t\' acres, tastefulK' laid out. and adorned 
with well-kept lawns, and a great variety of trees and shrubber)-. The 
courses of stud\' are designed to gi\e a liberal education. Religious in- 
struction is car-efnlly pro\-i(led. In .-iddilion to the daily readings of the 
Holy Scriptures, recitations in the b'.nglish or (ireek Xew Testament or in 
Scripture History are recpiired of the student once a week. By e.xposition 
and collateral information the instructors endeavor to enforce the true 
meaning of the lessons. Idav'erford College desires to inculcate the simple 
truths of the Christian religion." 

To the above history we add a short sketch of the career of the ])resent 
President, who has so long and so successfullv conducted this institution. 

President Isaac Sharjiless was born Mecendier idtli, A. 1). 1848, in 
Chester County, Pennsylvania, and educated at W'esttown ISoarding School 
and Hru-\-ard I'niversity, where he recei\ed the degree t>f ijachelor of Sci- 
ence. The L'ni\-ersitv of Penns} b ;inia gax'c him the degree of S. D., and 
Swarthmore that of LL. I). lie came to lla\-erford College in 1873 as In- 
structor in .Mathematics, and was made Professor of ;\Iathematics .and .\s- 
Ironomy in ]879, Dean in 1885, and President in 1887. He is the author 
of the Te.xt-Book of (jcometry; and. in conjunction with I >r. (1. M. Philips, 
of te.xt-books on .\stronomy and l'li\sics. i''.nglish Lducation in Interna- 
tiona! Julucation Series, and numerous other sliorler ])apei's on principalb' 
.•\stronom\- and h'ducation. 

I HI'. .Mi:Kni\ t 'kickI'.i' Ci.ri!. — lUisiness ;nid ]irofessional men need 
exercise. Archbishop \\'hatel\' and Gladstone found it in felling trees; 
l)ut most ]5ersons desire annisement ;md the excitement of comiietition. 



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133 



Cicneral Lirant's 'I'our Around the World notes the (hiul)lc corridor, 520 
feet long", foruiinL;' a prtjmenade in did! weather at Windsor Castle. The 
(|uaint, pious, and honest fisherman, Izaak Walton, remarks on the l)a(l 
ph\ sical effect of the sedentary life of the great English theologian. Hooker, 
while Napoleon is represented in Sergeant OAIeara's account of his exile, 
as thinking it necessary to ride se\-en or eight leagues ilail\- at St. Helena, if 
it had been possible. Leonardo da Vinci was remarkably strong, though 
an artist, and was proficient in gentlemanly exercises. Tlie health-lift and 
(hnnb-bells attract some moderns, but social exercise is better as stirring 
the mind to acti\ity. \\'ise old Ilurton. in his Anatomy of Melancholy 
(Part 1, sec. 2. AlenT. 2. subs, (j), treats of the abuse of exercise as well as its 
use, ( (noting Galen as to its evil effects on Ijody and mind. He also speaks 
of its unreasonableness "unseasonably used, upon a full stomach." giving 




Gateway ok Mi.kidn Cricket Cluii Grounds. 



reference to authors, and referring to German school-boys. The bicycle in 
Dur dav ])rom]its to inunoderate exercise and shduld be used with caution. 

Professor Leonard Woods, Jr., descrijjes Dr. Knapp, the great German 
theologian, as "frail and sickly" from a child, having various disorders; but 
constant exercise in all weathers prolonged his life to advanced age without 
one da\' spent in beil. Xiemeyer represented him as "weak and exhausted, 
contending with the rude elements, supported by his pilgrim staff." 

Greece and Rome were full of athletic sports, and Pythagoras was 
crowned at the Olympic Ciames. Lord Byron declared that there are no 
diseases whose further dexelopment could not be prevented, or which, at 
the commencement, could not have been ciu'ed by bodily exercise. 
Even St. Paul, in First Corinthians, Chap. IX, draws a religious lesson from 
the Isthmian Games, as demanding toil, temperance, and care for success. 



134 RURAL PENNSYLWAKIA. 

JiU'enaVs expression of "a sound mind in a sound body" indicates full 
life; antl mind and body are so joined tbat they must be developed together. 

In Bisho]^ G. W. Doane's Conunemorative Discourse on Rev. James 
(iilborne Lyons, LL. D., ])refi.xed to the volume of Sermons and Poems of 
that well-known instructor, of Rosemont. wc learn that the g-ood man 
dwelt in vouth in the Isle of Man, though he was a nati\'e oi Duldin. His 
collesjiate life was passed in Oublin. We may sujijjose that he brought 
hither the British love for cricket. There has been i)laced in m\ hands a 
N'olume concerning that institution which connects its rise with the good 
and learned doctor. 

William W'. Montgomcrx' and Alaskell Kwing were wrdking through 
the Blue Riilge ^Mountains of Pennsyhania in lierks County, in the autunm 
of A. D. 1865, and cogitated and con\-ersed over the organization of a 
cricket clul) about the region of Lower Merion. lla\erfi>rd College and 
the school of Dr. Lvons had been accustomed to plav the game, which runs 
back historically to the fourteenth century. In loX; I'liillips's "Alxsteries 
of Love and ]'do(|ucnce"' use the name cricket for what was called "club 
ball," or "hand-in and hand-out." 

The Engdish national game is taking root in America: ami ');its and 
balls and wickets and gloves and llannel aboimd. 

In 1865 the jiresent Club was organized b\- these rhiladelphi.'uis: Wil- 
liam W'. Montgomery, Maskell 1-Aving, (I. 11. liall, Charles Eyre, Allen 
Evans. C. W'. Humphreys, Rowland I'Aans, V.. H. I\vre, V.. S. Sayres. Jr.. 
R. H. Reill\. II. Sayres. J. .\ubrey Jones, \l. II. Lycett. W. Stroud, antl 
M. Bailev. Two founders h;ive died: three are now officers, and nine active 
mcnd)ers. 

"Tlu' first meeting was held at Cdi'uays, the country-seat of Richard R. 
Mi'nlgomer\, I'.sq.. near l'>r\n .\l;i\vr." where arrangements were made lor 
organization. ( )n April 1st, i8(i(), a second meeting was held at the coun- 
try-seat of I )r. bise]>h W'. Anderson, at Ardmore. and the name "The 
Merion Cricket ( 'lub" was ado])ted. 

|. .\ubre\' Jones liberally offered the use of ground on the estate of 
his f.'Uher. Colonel ( )wen Jones, at W'ynnewood. In May, i8t)(), the Club 
coni|ncred in "its first m.atch with the llrnerford C"ollege team." This 
stimulated the game, and mend)ership increased. There was no clul)- 
house; and a wooden l)ox, d feet by 2. contained the needful im])lemcnts. 
The box was kejit in the entr\- of W'xnnewood public school-house, ;uid 
the scliool-honse pump \\;is the wash-room. In 1N7.1 five acres were 
r'ented ,it Ardmore, having been purchased for such use by Rowland Evans 
and W . W . Montgomery. Tlic ne.xt year tlie Ciul) purchased the property. 



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RURAL PENNSYLI'ANIA. 13; 

In iSSo two and a half adjacent acres were houyht, and a laryer cluhdumse 
Iniilt. In 1881 "the jiniior and huhes' liouses were built." 

The Ardmore grounds served the t'lub until 1892, when it was deemed 
needful "to procure grounds and club-houses on a scale ec|ual to any in this 
country, and an organization to purchase a cricket ground and lease it to 
the Club for 999 years was formed, as the 'llaxerford Land and lni])rove- 
ment Company.' " 

In 1892 twelve ami a half acres were bought at Haverford Station, 
which contain the present club-houses. On January 4th, 189^), the main 
club-house was burned and a new one was erected in its place, which was, 
in turn, almost entirely destroyed by lire on Septeml)er 24tli, 1896. 
Phoenix-like a new club-house has since arisen, replete in every par- 
ticular. 

The present officers are: President, Alexander J. Cassatt; First Vice- 
President, Allen Evans; Second Vice-President, Clement A. Griscom: Third 
Vice-President, William P. Henszey; Secretary, Edward S. Sayres; Treas- 
urer, \\ illi.'un R. IMiiller. 

Idle officers of the Ladies' Cluli-house Committee are: President, Mrs. 
Alexander J. Cassatt; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. Edward S. Sayres; 
Chairman of Entertainment Committee, Mrs. James M. Rhodes; Chairman 
of House Committee, Mrs. \\\ P). Stephenson; Chairman of Tennis Com- 
mittee, Mrs. John B. Tha_\'er, Jr. 

On February ist, 1892, the I'hiladelphia Piihlic Ledger contained a long 
account of the history of the Club. It records the large pecuniary aid 
given to the undertaking by many ladies and gentlemen, and describes the 
fine location of the club-house. iMcry passer-l)y on the railway can notice 
tlie fine building and grounds on tlie right at Haverford in passing from 
Philadelphia into the coimtry. The grounds face Montgomery Avenue, 
and are bcnmdcd by Cheswold and Ciray's Lanes, lying on a higli position, 
affording good light, but secluded liy trees from the view of the public. 
Furness, Evans & Co. designed the new buildings. 

Tiie present Club-house is of brick and terra-cotta, with a ]iorte- 
cochere and recessed porches, two separate hallways for men and women — 
a large central hall for general use, and on one side the cafe, library, and 
billiard-room for men, and on the other the ladies reception and tea-rooms. 
P>elow stairs are bowling-alleys and shuffle-board rooms, store-rooms, 
ladies' tennis-rooms, cricket dining-room, lavatories, etc. The second 
floor contains a large main dining-room, private dining-rooms, bed-rooms 
for men, bath-rooms, etc., and a large theatre with dressing-rooms and a 
separate entrance. On the third fioor are more bed-rooms for men, 
kitchens, sewing-rooms and rooms for emiiloyees. The whole house is 



138 Rl U^A L PEKXS ) 'L / 'A XI A . 

liealcil by one lars^e hoiler. and lis^litcd with l)()lh i^as ami electric lights. 
It is supposed to l)e the most complete and largest countr\-clnl) house in 
this countn-. 

The cricket and tennis house is of stone and shingles. A wide porch 
faces the cricket tield. I'he court \ard is encircled hv sheds and stahles 
for horses and carriages. 

Hickory Lodc.k. — 'Idiis is the residence of Clarkson Clothier. It was 
jituxhased l)y him of Stephen Farrelly in A. I). i8()4- ^'^e idace lies at 
the corner of I'annuiir A\enue and lUick I.ane. A portion of land has been 
added by purchase from lulmund Lewis. Some line old forest trees are on 
the grounds. Mr. Clothier is of the lirm of Strawbridge & Clothier, 

pA-'rn i: Wool). — This (piaint name was gi\en 1)_\- Frederick Sxlvester 
to his j)lace in I la\erford. o])])osite a wood on I )r. l*.\ans"s ])ro])crt\'. Se\'eu 
acres of ground are in this country ])lrice. extending from r>ooth's Lane to 
Gray's Fane, with a frontage on (jlyn\\\nne \\enue. .Mr. Sylvester pur- 
chased this ground ami house in A. I ). iS8f) of |ohn Strnthers, who had 
erected the dwelling, it has Ijeen altered and materially improved by the 
present owner. The \ariety of trees planted by Wr. Struthers and Mr. S\l- 
vester ha\e formed a beautiful natural i)ark. The mansion is of stone, the 
upper jiart being shingled. 

Alex.\n'dkr J011N.SON Cass.\tt. — L. R. Hamersly & Co.'s Makers of 
Philadelphia, edited by Charles Morris. gi\es the means of sketching the 
life of Mr. Cassatt. His birthplace was I'ittsburg. and the date of his birth 
.\. 1). iS^i). llis father was '"the lirst M;i\-or of .\lleghen\' t/itw" but 
moved to I 'hiladel])hia. and ft)unde(l "the banking-house of Flovd, Cassatt 
& Company."' i'he son studied in Furo])e ruid at the Rensselaer I'olvtech- 
nic College, in Troy. .X. ^' . graduating a ci\il engineer, .\fter ex])erience 
in railroad affairs Colonel Scott gave him \arious honorable positions. ;ui(l 
linally that of Cencral Su])erintendenl of the Pennsybania I\ailroad. and 
Cieneral Manager of its lines fell to him, and brought him to Phila(lel])hia. 

'Idle molding of the I 'enns\ K ;uiia svsteiu into imihcatioii. which has 
made its reputation world-wide, was largely due to this excellent organizer. 
The ser\ice between Philadelphia and New ^'ork received his sjiecial at- 
tt'iition, with s]ilendid result. 

When |. b'.clgar rhomson. the first President of the Penusyl\;ini;i Rail- 
road I'ompain-, died. .\lr. L'assatt. in 1S74. became third \'ice-i'resident. 
and, in wSSo, when Colonel Scott retirc<l and (icorge 1!. Roberts was elected 
President, he w.ns m;ide llrst X'icc-l'resiiK'iit. 

.\mid comiietition from other railways, this man of ample resources 
and good foresight, ekwatcd the railwiiv to its present "coium.'inding posi- 
tion." 






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RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 14 > 

111 1882 he retired from office, seeking leisure, and visited Europe. 
Since his return he has paid much attention "to the breeding of fine stock." 
His famous Chesterbrook Farm is near Berwyn, and has a national reputa- 
tion. He has patronized art, and owns a gallery with many fine paintings, 
lie has been President of the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad 
Company "since 1885." "and since 1891 of the commission for the building 
of an Inter-Continental Railroad to connect North and South America. 
He is also a member of the Board of Visitors of West Point, and has for 
a number of vears been one of the Directors of the Pennsylvania Railroad 
Company." He has made himself exceedingly useful in improving country 
roads, and anv one who has gone through spring and winter nuul knows 
the civilizing and comforting effects of proper highways between neigh- 
bors and friends, and uniting church and school. 

For a brief sketch of the history of Roman and English and East In- 
dian roads see my volume on the York Road, Bustleton and Fo.k Chase, 
\)\). 1 1, etc. 

Mr. Cassatt's beautiful country-seat is named Cheswold. There is a 
large, verdant, undulating lawn, and the house stands far back from the 
]niblic highway in pleasant retirement. 

Mrs. Cassatt is the daughter of the late Ivev. Dr. Edward Young- 
Buchanan, who was the brother of President Buchanan. 

Dr. Buchanan was long the beloved Rector of Trinity Church, Oxford, 
I'liiladelphia. He wrote a volume on the history of that venerable parish, 
and he was buried in the shadow of the wall of his loxed church. He was 
ordained by Bishop White. Some account of the good work of my friend 
and neighbor is given in my book, "Early Clergy of Pennsylvania and Dela- 
ware." 

Pen Rhvn Ycnvn. — The place of Rowland Evans licuring this name 
is about a half-mile northeast of Haverford Station, on Cray's Lane. The 
stone dwelling was built in A. D. 1881. on a wooded hill, in a sheltered 
situation. It is occu])ied by Mr. E\-ans during the entire year. Some 
thirty acres comprise the estate of Ednnmd C. Evans, occupied by Allen 
and Rowland Evans, his sons. The whole tract l)ears the name Pen Rhyn. 

The Rowland Evans ])lace is distinguished by the \\'elsh word Ycoyd, 
meaning "in the wood," while Pen Rhyn means "the end of a hill." 

Edmund C. Evans ]nn-chased the property in 1865, and erected a house 
on it aljout 1874. Rowland Evans, Esq., is a native of Chester Count}', 
and has long been known as a Philadeli)hia lawxer and a prominent lay- 
worker in the h'piscoiial Church, .\llen E\ans is an architect, who de- 
siuned both the dwellings, being of the firm of Fnrness, Ewans iK; Co. These 



143 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

gentlemen arc descendants of Rowland Ellis, one of the original settlers 
of the Welsh Tract, and are also connected with Rowland E\ans, another 
distinguished man of the early days of Pennsylvania. 

"DoLOBU.w." — The country-seat t)f Clement A. Griscom, Esq., is 
ahout half a mile northeast from Maverford Statitni. I'ennsyhania Railroad, 
and comprises somewhat more than eighty acres, of a rolling, une\en 
nature, the larger portion of the land sloping generally toward the north- 
ward, and eastward to a stream of water which flows through the tract in an 
easterh' direction. The tract is nearly rectangular in shape. The southwest- 
ern ])ortiou is gently rolling, and has been a])i)roprialed for a lawn, through 
which the carriage road winds to the residence past beds of beautiful 
variegated plants and llouers, clum])s of e\ergreens, etc. Close l)y the 
residence is the upper cud nf a liea\il\ winided i"a\ine, extending to the 
stream of water: a wootlland walk has been made in this ravine, which is 
so closed in by trees and shrulibery that one could easily imagine himself 
following a ]iath in the forest: here and there along this walk are rustic 
benclies and "crow-nests" for those who would rest a while. .\t the liot- 
tom of this walk we come out to the stream ue.ar a large lake, where there 
are facilities for boating and bathing. Xear the head of the ra\ine just de- 
scribed, and near the mansion house is a flower garden devoted exclusively 
to Japanese plants. 

The northerh' jiortion of the estate is naturally umch rougher, and 
splendidlv adapted b\ nature to the ])urpose to which Mr. (iriscom has 
devoted about thirt\- acres of this section, namely, as an ".Vmericau \\'ild 
(jarden," Besides being originally hea\ily wooded, innumeral)le native 
.\mcrican trees, plants, and flowers were brotight from all sections of the 
country. Two or three old stone quarries in this tract have been utilized 
to make forot pools, in which are man\- \arieties of beauliiul water lilies 
and other water-growing tfowers and plants: while rho<U)dendrons and 
ferns abound along the shores of the pools and on the (nitcro])ping ledges 
of the clift's. Throughout this tract woodland jiaths wind in exerv direc- 
tion, along which the pedestrian can c;itcii a glimjise of shaded pools, 
wooded glens and nooks, mossv banks of ri\ulets, and such pretty bits of 
natiu'e, and the paths are of a length that tr.aversing all of them without 
going along the same one twice makes one feel that he had had ])leuty of 
exercise for the time. 

Erom the ])orch of the house one might imagine that the residence 
was the onl\' building ou the pro])ertv, so thoroughly do the near-by tree 
growths hide the usual buildings of a country place. l)Ut it is only a walk 
of a minute or two thiough the trees to a linely-appointed stable, in which 



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RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. HS 

is kept a number of blooded liorses for riding and drix'ing, and not far off 
is a large greenhouse for the growth of many kinds of flowers, and hot- 
beds for earh- vegetable delicacies for the table. 

On the eastern edge of the estate is an attractive cottage occupied 
by ~\\v. and Mrs. Bettle. Mrs. Bettle being Mr. Griscom's daughter; and 
at the foot of the lawn slojiing to the eastward from the mansion house is 
another cottage in \vhich reside Mr. (iriscom's son, I^cidman \i. (Iriscom, 
and his wife. 

The portion of the estate King un either side of the brook, which runs 
through the estate, is chielh^ used for grazing, and here may be seen a 
fine herd of Guernsey cattle, ami a llock of Shropshire sheej). Here are 
also located the buildings for the farmer, the ilairy. etc.. of s|)ecial interest 
to the members of the welbknown ■'l'"armei-s" Club." of which organization 
Afr. (jriscom is one. 

Rees Thomas was an earlv W elsh settler in Merion. and I'ryn Alawr 
and i'losemont stand upon a portion of his land. 

The painstaking local historian, George \'aux. of llryn Mawr, lias 
traced the Thomas ancestry in the Pcnnxylrania Magazine of ilislory and 
Biography. Vol. XIII, and we follow his account. 

Rees Thomas and Martha Awbrey appear to have reached America in 
.\. D. 1691. This emigrant was of a lo\-ely disposition and of good de- 
scent. His wife, Martha Awbrey, was of an old Welsh famil\-, the pedigree 
running back to "Saunders de St. .\wbrey, brother of Lord St. Awbrey, 
Lord Marshal of France, and h'arl of lioulogne, who came to England in 
1066. The name seems to have been Teutonic, ami was formerb Alberic, 
or The White King." 

The Awbre\- and \';uigban f.uuilie^ were connected b\ the marnnge of 
Richard \\\bi-e\ to Ann \"augh;in. Tlu' wife died in lOjo. I'.otb were 
titled families. Richard's son Richard had sexeral childi'cn. the oldest 
being named William, ami the second son. Richard (the tliii-d), ,'i clergyman. 
\\'illi;mi married his daughter to her cousin William, llis sou William 
ni,ari-ieil Letitia, the daughter of William I'enn. as his second wife. The 
father of Letitia's husl)and (lie<l in 171(1, aged ninetw and his ei)ita])h in 
Llanelyn Church}-ard. Wales, declares that he "Departed this life in Hope 
of a Joxful Resurrection." 

Rees Thomas married Martha .\wbrey at Haverford in 1692. 

In 1695 the husband and wife write the aged father of the wife, begin- 
ning "Most dear and tender Father," announcing the birth of .\ubrey, and 
praising the Lord for the health of mother and child. Rees was an elder 
son. The urandfather had wished the elder son to be called Aubrew and 



146 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

Kees Tliomas quaintly writes, "1 will assure thee I was not against it, hut 
my neihors wood have him he calcil p.iy name, being I bought ye land, and I 
so belox'ed amongst them. 1 do adniite to what thee saves in ty Letter yt 
an Aubrey was beter known than I; though I am hear very well acjuanted 
with most in those parts, he is ye first Aubre\' in Pensiivania and a stout 
boy he is of his age, being now a (|uarter."' 

Mr. Thomas mentions the coming o\cr of his "iud<le John llewui."' 
The letter is religious and affectionate, and acknowledges the Lord's good- 
ness in recovering tlie writer from illness and blessing him spirituallv. 

.\ touch of |)ro\incial life is seen in the following: "1 lost much time in 
going to I'aires and m.nrkets." A bit of liistor\- follow^: "William [•"ishicr 
of Rose formerb' (is) now Lixing in i'lnladel])hia. " 1 )ome>lic Ime shines 
out in the next words: "Tin dalci' desires thee to ;ic(|uaint her of her age 
in \e next letter. M\ son Uees !\cmemhcrs his Love to his grandfather 
and also to his nant\' Anne, he cloth speakc \cr\ Liberallv but unkle is a 
hard word for (him), his lo\e is to Lichard, a l)ra\e Ix.ndd l)o\ he is now 
without a max'd scr\ant for thev .are \er\- scarce hear, ujion uoe terms .an 
ordinarv m;ni of se\'en or eight ])ounds att Lest .and cannot liaxe them u])on 
no .account." 

"1 had about ['» score hirsjiels of wheat this \cai'. I have 13 he<ls of 
cattle, six horses what d\ed this winter, for it was a hard wiiUer, the_\' say 
the\' ne\er saw ye like of." 

'■Rees and Martha Thomas h.ad ;i third son. William, nf these l-iees 
and W'illi.am left desccnd.ant s. \wlire\- \isitcd I'.ngl.and and married 
( iulielm.a, the onl\' d.aughter of William I 'emi, jr., ,ind gi'anddaugliter of the 
b'ounder. He did not long sur\i\e his mari-i;ige. .and died without issue, 
])robab]\- in Lngland." 

"I\ccs Thom.as sur\i\cd his wife .a ninnlici' of \c;irs. .M.arth.a died in 
1726. .\fter her death .a sm.all hook w.is published b\ S. Keimer. eiUitled 
'.\ collection of I'^legiac I'oems devnted to the .Menioi\ of the l.ate \irtuous 
and exccdletit M;itron .and wortln ehler in the (hurch of (.'hiast of the 
Society of h'riends. Martlia i'liomas. l.ate wife of Rees Thomas of Merion, 
of the Lounty of 1 'hiladelphia, in the l'ro\ince of 1 'ennsyb .ania, ami 
Daughter of William .Vwbres of Llauelieu. in the Coinil}- of lirecknock, in 
Great l>ritain, who departed this life the jlh of iJth Mo., 1726-7." 

".\ modern edition w.as priiUed by Lx'di.a K. I'ailey, Philadelphia, i<^37." 

Mrs. Thomas was buried in the groimd "adjoining the old h'riends' 
meeting-house in Radnor, tlie ninth of the i'welfth .\b)ulh. 172!)." 

'Jhe com|)iler of the three ])oems sums u]) the ch.aracter of this good 
wotuan in an address, (pioting lloly Scripture .about the "cn erlasting re- 



?3 



n 




RURAL ri-.XXSVI.r,l.\l.l. 149 

iiK'nil)r;mct'" of "the rit^liteons," that virtues iiiiiL;lit culi^lUi-ii (iIIkts "in 
the patiis i)f truth ami hdhness." Her "exeniphu'N " life was a continued 
monitor and was as a preacher, whether considered as a wife, a mother, an 
elder in the Liuu"ch, a mistress, a neii^hhor, or a friend. As her life was 
risi;hteoits, so her death was sweet, and the Father of mercies was s^raciouslv 
])lease(l. according- to her desire, tt) fa\dr her with her (faculties) e\en to 
her last moments." 

Jn Penn's Charters for "\'e I'uhjick School in ye town and County of 
I'hila(1eli)hia in Pensilvania," printed 1)\' J. V>. Lii)])incott iK: I'o. (I'hiladel- 
]ihi;i library), the founder mentions himself and "a larg'e CoUonx- of the 
people of God called Uuakers." In the second charter. A. D. 1708, Row- 
land Ellis is named as one of the ( )verseers with James Logan, Nicholas 
Wain, and others. The third charter was in 171 i. 

Thomas .Mien (llenn, in "Alerion in the Welsh Tract," states that Row- 
land I'^llis called his si-\-hundred acre plantation Uryn Mawr, after his home 
in Wales, which is ])ictured in that \-olume. .\n interesting accoimt of the 
old stone dwelling, with a plate, illustrates the volume mentioned. The 
place was in Merionethshire. Wvvn Mawr jilantation was afterward called 
Harriton. 

The family was of princel}- lineage, and (ilenn traces its history at 
length, (luoting that wondrous list, a Welsh pedigree, 

Mr. Ellis's description of the "indifferent good house; very good and 
large chimney," with its dailv and nightl\- fire, and the agricultural details 
are interesting reading. He little thought of the development of to-day. 
The old house vet stands, though it has a \er\' lonely look among its grand 
neighhcjring etlitices, like a primiti\e grandfather in simple clothing among 
his smartly-dressed grandchildren. 

Brae Mar was first thought of as the new name of the station formerly 
called \\ hite Hall. Dr. Edmiuid C. Evans had so called his ])lacc, hut 
President I'Idgar Thomson, of the Pennsylvania Railroad, had his attention 
called to the projier Welsh name, Bryn Mawr. 

Ivowland I'Tis built the Charles Thomson house, and lie had 1,100 
acres surveyed there. 

Professor H. C. Lewis is referred to in Professor Carter's Geological 
Descrijition of A'lontgomery County in Theodore W, Bean's History of 
that count V, as naming the "cuimous patches of an ancient gravel" on the 
tops of lofty hills near Chestnut Hill and Bryn Mawr," "Bryn Mawr 
Gravel." The railroad cutting "below the station" displays this formation. 
This is supposed to be a remnant of an ancient sea-bed. 



ISO RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 

Ill 1N5S I'oloiK-l Ik-an ,iL;i\cs twenty-one liouses as the contents of Bryn 
Mawr, then cahed I luin])hre\s\ille, tVoni tlie Hnin]ihre_\' family, wIkj were 
old settlers, 'i'his elevated site, nine miles above Philadelphia, now has 
quite a poptilation. and the \icinity has many noble residences, where citi- 
zens enjoy country life. 

Win. J. lUick's History of Montgomery County was published in 1859, 
and has the following: "Humphreysville is near the Delaware County Hne, 
on the Lancaster Pike, nine miles from Philadelphia, has twenty-one houses, 
a two-story public scliool-house, and several handsome private residences. 
( >ne mile below on the ])ike, and eight from the city, is the lq)iscopal 
Church, wiiere there are fifteen houses. se\'eral of which are elegant 
structures. The church stands on the north side of the road, and is a low 
one-storv stone-])oiiited 1)uildiiig, witli a steei) roof, and a tower fort)' feet 
high. The whole ha\e been built within the last twehe years." This 
refers lo the first building of the L'hurcli of the Redeemer. 

Till-; 1.owi:k Mi-.rion ILm-tist CnrKt'H. — (ieorge \'au.\. in an article 
on the Harrison hamih in the l'ciuis\l:'aiii(i Ma>^a::iih' of History and 
Biography, has this note: 

"The site of the Lower Merion Baptist Church edifice at the eastern- 
most corner of the Old (iulf Road (sometimes called Rolierts Road) and 
the New Culf Road was donated in the year 1810 b\- Charles McClenacliaii. 
and was conveyed bv him to the Trustees in trust for the congregation 
'adhering to the Baptist confession of faith adopted 1iy the Philadelphia 
Baptist .\ssociation in the year 174.2.' The life estate which Charles Thom- 
son h.'id in this plot, containing one acre, had been ])re\iouslv released. 
The lot has since been increased in size by purchase." 

"The original meeting-house was erected about the time the land was 
given, it was a large oblong structure of stone, rough-cast, with high 
slo]3ing roof, its gable facing the N'ew (iulf Road. Charles Tliomson some- 
times worshii)ed in this building in the later _\ears of his life. It has re- 
centlv been rebuilt, ]jart of the old walls being used, but in such a wa)' that 
not a vestige remains of what this \enerable building formerly was. as re- 
spects either its exterior appearance or its interior arrangements. The 
main window in the southwest side contains a stained-glass memorial to 
Charles Thomson, in which a ]irominent feature is a portrait of that eminent 
man. This meniori.nl w.'is don;ited by (ieorge \\ . (liilds. In the southeast 
wall in the interior is a marble tablet to the memory of Horatio Gates 
Jones, the first pastor of the congregation \vorshi|)ing in the old building, 
who died December 12th. 1853. in his seventy-seventh year." 



RURAL PRXXSVLI'AXJA. 



'3J 



I wmikl ailcl that the late weU-known lawyer and local historian, 
ll(iiatit) Liates Jones, was a son of this worthy pastor. He was President 
of tlic Welsh Society, 

Church of the Redeemku. — l\ev. llcnr)- Brown, now Rector-emeri- 
tus of St. Paul's Episcojial Church, Chester, I'a., conducted a 
service, Aug'ust 3d, A. I). 1831, in Temperance Hall, above the eight-mile 
stone on the Lancaster Turnpike, and after the service the following \'estry 
were elected: Frederick \\ . Porter, Jesse Gyger. Isaac Hazlehurst, John 
Hulme. Lewis W'ister, l)a\id ^K)rgan, James Morgan, Owen Jones. Joseph 
K. Eyre. 

j\Ir. Brown was then Rector of the mother church of the region. St. 
David's. Radnor. A few drivs aflei' the first \estry-meeting was held 




CllUKCil OK IHK KeUEEMKR. 



(.\ugust 9tli). and St. Luke's was chosen as the name of the church. l-Jew 
Henry I'.rown was elected Rector. See my "Countr\- Clergy of Pennsvl- 
vania," pp. 75, etc.. and "Chester" and "Radnor" in the same volume. 
Under "Chester" Mr. Brown's faithful and devoted work is outlined. 

November 21st, 1S51, Bishop Alonzo Potter laid the corner-stone of 
the church on the north side of Lancaster Turn]Mke. above the eight-mile 
stone. The name was afterward changed to the Churcli of the Redeemer. 

In 1855 Mr. Brown resigned the rectorship. In 1856 Rev. George S. 
Rider was elected to that post; but he resigned in a short time, and was 
succeeded by Rev. E. L. Lycett, who died August 5th, 1878, and was the 
first person buried in the new graveyard at Bryn Mawr. 



154 RURAL PRXXSVU'.-IXIA. 

Rev. F.dwanl Slii])])cn W al^(lll, I). I)., is next in order of rectorsliip — 
a sclioiarly man, nuicli l)elo\e(l. 

November 8th, A. 1). 1879, Bishop Clarkson, of Nebraska, laid the 
corner-stone of the new church on Penn Street and tlic fiulf Road. Tiie 
first service here was held on Easter Day, Aprd 17th. 1881. Charles M 
Burns, Jr., was the architect. Bishop Stevens consecrated the churcli and 
churchyard October 6th, iSSi. 

The Vestry at the liuilding of the beautiful church were N. Parker 
Shortridge, George Curwen (wardens), I. Hunter Ewing. James Rawle, 
Fred. W. ]\Iorris, Charles Wheeler, Henry W'lielen. Archibald U. Mont- 
gomery, and I\owland E\'ans. 

l\e\-. James Haughton, the ]^resent Rector, was born in I'.oston, .\pril 
i4tli, i8:;(;; studied in Har\ard College, .Xndover. and (icrmanv. He was 
ortlained Deacon bv llislxip Fastburn. in lloston, 18(1(1. and I'riest by 
Bishop Chase, of New iiami)shire, 18(1(1. He was Rector in l{.\cter, X. 11., 
i8f)6-68: Hanover, N. II., i8()8-7f.; Dean of .Ml Saints' Cathedral. .Mbany, 
N. Y., i87()-79; Rector of St. John's. N'onkers, N. N'., 1879-87, when he 
came to l)r\'n Mawr, wliere he has faithfulK and successfulb' fnlldled his 
ministry. 

-\n elaborate metal rood-screen, designed by Charles M. Burns, Jr., 
adorns this church. it is a memorial to Charles Wheeler. The dis- 
tinguished scholar and poet, Re\'. Dr. J. Cilborne Lxons, is buried in the 
churchyard, 'i'he lieautiful granite monument of Mr. Lycett keeps him in 
memory among his old parishioners, and his friend, the author of this work, 
recollects the throng of sur])liced clergy and the lait\- who by attendance 
at his funeral in the old church attested their sense of loss in his death. His 
dexoted wife has lately followed him to Paradise, and is buried at his side. 

1 can well recall a cold winter day when I accompanied this faithful 
rector for miles to Coushohocken to a ser\ice in a schoobhouse. Now a 
fine church has risen there, and l\ev. Dr. Atkins is remembered as its toil- 
some I'vector, now succeeded b\- Re\ . Herbert J. Cook. 

.\ connmmication to my "Countrv Clerg\" sketched .Mr. l.\ cell's life, 
and ;i condensation littingly comes in here. 

Air. Lycett was ordained Deacon by Ijishop Potter in .\. IX 1834, and 
Priest by the same Piisho]) in 1855. He was born in London in i8_'o, and 
came to .\merica in i8_:5J. He studied in lialtimore under Rew R. S. Kil- 
len, and Rev. Henry \'. Johns, brother of liisliop Johns, of \'irginia. He 
commenced ministerial work at Bangor Church, in Churchtown, Lancaster 
County, Pa., in connection with St. Thomas's Church, Morgantown. These 
churches arc a few miles apart, and the ride between ihem dis])l;i\s beautiful 



n 




RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. i57 

scenery tit for a preparation to worshij) Ood. the Creator of all, and His 
blessed Son, our Saviour, liy whom He made the worlds (St. John i, 3). 

In 1850 ]\lr, Lycett was called to the rectorship of the Church of the 
Redeemer. In i85<S he l)es.:^an services in Conshohocken on Sunday after- 
noons, holding evenino- services on weekdays in the houses of the mill 
hands, continuing the blessed work until 1863. 

\\'hen the services began in a school-house one male communicant 
was found, but, on his departure a substantial building, costing $3,500 
had been erected. His next effort was to have evening services in the din- 
ing-i"()<)ni of Ins own hoU'^c at Mill (.'reek. Then a room was procured and 
fitted up as a cli;ipel and Sunday-school room, where Sunda\- evening serv- 
ices were held '"until after he remo\ed to the jiresent rectory." Then 
evening services were conducted on Smida\ in the Masonic llall in .\rd- 
more, and a Sunday-school was organized, the e.\i)enses being met bv mem- 
bers of the parish of the Redeemer. Now St. Mary"s, Ardmore. has an ex- 
cellent church building, and a goodly num<ber of communicants. Rev. 
W. W. Steel is the Rector. 

The first Church of the Redeemer, on the Lancaster Turnpike, was of 
stone, with a square English tower, and while the later building is grander 
one misses the sweet country temple by the roadside, and wishes that it 
could have been preserved, feeling with liislioi) Coxe in his Christian Bal- 
lads (Chronicles): 

"TliL- ablieys and the archos. 
The old Cathedral piles. 
Oil, weep to .see the i\y 
i\ud the .£;Tass in all their aisles." 

The beaittiful stone pul]iil in the new church is m lip memory of 
Sophia \\'ilcox Watsoti and Mar\ Wilcox Watson Wheeler, wife and 
daughter of Rew Hr. I'.dward Shippen Watson. lornicrl\- Rector of this 
church. The chancel window is a memorial of members of the Charles 
Wheeler familv. The side window on the south of the chancel is a 
memorial of James and h'liza Haughton. parents of the present Rector of 
the parish. Other memorial windows commemorate George Philler, and 
members of the Shortridge, ]\Iorris. Rundlet, Ewing, Miles, and Haydon, 
and Mac\'eagh families. The lectm^n was a gift of the Montgomery family. 
A tablet to Rev. Dr. James ( lilborne Lyons is on the chancel wall, with the 
fitting inscription. "The righteous shall be had in everlasting remem- 
brance." "Lraelio gaudco." "1 rejoice in the contest," is also engraved 
there. The interior of the chin"ch shows the natural brick, xariegated in 
color. The beautiful reredos is in memoi'\ of Rew L'dward L\-ddon Lvcett, 



158 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

a former faithful Rector. Charles Wheeler was a \'estrynian from 1873 
to 1883. He was born in 1827, and died in 1883. He was a menil)er of tlie 
firm of Alorris, Wheeler & Co. 

AvoNWOOD Cot^'RT. — The fine residence of Charles E. Mather, nearly 
opposite the Church of the Redeemer, bears tliis name. The land here was 
bought b\- Air. Mather in 1878. and he built his house from plans of T. 
Roney Williamson in 1882, just 200 years exactly after his family settled in 
this county (Montgomery). He is in the sixth generation, all being mem- 
1)ers of the Society of Friends. I'clcr I Junoluie, the old gardener, has been 
with him since 1871;, and helpcil to la\ oiu this ])lace, and has had charge 
of it since, and expects to die nn the place, lie is now making an nld- 
fashioned English garden on mic side of the house. 

Glenays. — Richanl U. .Montgomery. ]•.■>([.. was a lawyer of high 
standing, and honorecl in oflice in the ICpiscopal Church. 

His countr\-seat is in Radnor Township, Delaware County, on the 
Wiiite Hall and Coopertown Road. The house was built for him, in i85(;, 
Michaol lu-ickson being the Imildcr. llis wife was I-"Jisabeth liinney, 
daughter of llorace I)inne\-. She resides here. For an account of the 
Montgomery family, sec Arddrossan in tliis x'olume. 

W. W". Montgomery, 1^S(|., the eldest son of ivicha.rd \\. .Mont- 
gomerw is mentioned in connection with Radnor Station in this \olume. 
His genial ])rother, Archibald K. .Montgomery, l<ls(|., shares his brother's 
office, and makes his home in the While llall mansion, near l')ryn Mawr. 
He is one of the chief managers of thi' 1 )eaf .and Dumb .\sylum. and for 
manv \ears h;is been a \er_\ acti\e member of the School I'.o.ard of Radnor 
Tow nshi]). 

The ]ilac-e. which formerl\ belong:'d to .\li". Whitney, is near ( denays. 
Mr. Thom.is's pl.ace called " 1 I ind>bnr\-," 1 belie\e, is also near-by. It 
runs froni the ('oopertown Road to \\y\u M.awr .\\enne. The Rawle 
projjertx' is on llr\n Mawr A\enuc. as well as the tormer residence (i{ the 
fatuily of Re\-. M i\ Eycett. 1 )r. Caleb Horner's ])lace adjoins the Drexel 
propei't\. which formerh' belongeil to ( ieorge W . C liilds. 

Ilenry I lobart ilrown was born in A. M. 1834. in the Rectory of the 
old St. Dasid's Church, at Ivadnor. I'.i. llis f.ather. Rey. Henry I'.rown, 
was Rector of St. Dayid's, and is now the honored and belosed Rector 
emeritus of St. Paul's Church, Chester, Fa. He graduated at Phillips 
.\cadem\-, I'.xeter. Xcw llampslhre. in 1872; .and <at Tlar\ard College in 
1876. .\ftei- graduation he began the >tud\' of law in Philadel])hia, biU 
soon found himself so bns\- in tutoring bo\s for college that he concluded 
to give up this ]inrsuit. ;md form some small classes. Such was the 



> 




RURAL FENNSVLJ-ANIA. i6i 

almost accidental beginning of what is now a school of two hundred boys. 
His whole time is taken up with the management of the De Lancey School. 
His lirother. William H. lirown, who was a Captain in the iMfth United 
States Cavalry, is buried at St. David's Churchyard. He served through 
the war with distinguished I)ravery, and was for a time General Crook's 
first officer in Arizona, and was instrumental in putting down the .\])achc 
Indians. All this before his death at the age of thirty-three. 

Henry Holjart Eirown lives in Bryn JNIawr, on the Lancaster Pike, in 
the old Humphries property, a stone cottage, which is certainly over one 
hundred years old. He married, in 1879, Anna Peace, eldest daughter of 
Dr. Edward Peace, whose home was at Annasdale, Delaware County, a 
mile back from Bryn ]Ma\vr Station. He has one child, a boy, Coleman 
Peace Brown, fourteen years of age. His wife died in July, 1883. He 
married a second time, \'irginia Cannell, in June. 1895. 

The Presbyteri.\n Church of Bryn Mawr. By Rev. W'm. H 
Miller, D. D. — Presbyterian services have been held in Bryn Mawr for 
nearly a quarter of a century. About the time that Bryn Mawr Station 
was first opened, and the original Bryn Mawr Hotel was built, the Presby- 
terians of the community started a regular weekly preaching service in the 
building on Lancaster Pike, known then as Temperance Hall, now occupied 
bv the Home AV'cvt Printing Establishment. Li January, 1873, a church of 
sixteen members was regularly organized, and for about a year the little 
congregation was served by the Rev. Henry Xeill, D. D.. as Stated Supply. 
Li its infancy the Brvn Mawr Church was ver\- closely affiliated with that 
of ]\lar])le. Some of its charter mendiers had been members of Mar])le 
Church, and their former much-loved pastor, the Rev. B. B. Hotchkin, 
D. D., took the deepest interest in the new organization. Through iiis 
instrumentality the chm-ch. although located in Montgomery County and 
therefore witliin the bounds of the Presbytery of North Philadelphia, was 
transferred bv a special act of Synod to the Presbytery of Chester, and thus 
Ijecame ecclesiastically united with the churches of Delaware and Chester 
Counties. The stone cha|)cl. now almost comi)letely covered with its 
mantle of ivy, was finished and dedicated in the spring of 1874: and about 
the same time a call was extended to the Rev. W'm. H. Miller, then a 
student in Princeton Seminary, to become the pastor of the church. He 
accepted the call, and ctjnnncnced bis ministry in the early fall of tlie same 
vear. He is the only regular pastor that the church has had. The church 
has for several years contributed to the Board of Foreign ^Mission the cost 
of the support of two foreign missionaries and their families. 

A new church was commenced in 1884. and completed and consecrated 



1 62 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

free of deljt in 1880. It is made of Trenton brownstone, with a square 
tower at the southwest corner, in which is the main door of entrance. 

In 1893 the work of building a large addition to the church was under- 
taken, and the following year was finished. This Sunday-school annex 
is on the north side of the church. It contains a beautiful, well-lighted and 
well-ventilated room, 60 by 40 feet in size, having separate rooms for adult 
and ]irimary classes connected with it by folding and sliding doors. 

A neat parsonage. Iniilt partly of stone and [tartly of wood, stands on 
the same lot with the other buildings. 

1 add to this account that the Presbyterians held some services in the 
meeting-house which formerl\ stood at Ilarriton Cemetery. 

.St. Lt'ke's ]\I. E. Ciu'rch. ]>rvn Mawr. — This beautiful stone church 
was built in A. D. 1880. when l\c\'. riiDmas C. Pearson had charge of the 
young parish which was in Padnor Circuit, then imder his care. Old 
Radnor Church and Bethesda Church, near Manoa. not far from the West 
Chester F'ike, composed the circuit. 

St. Luke's Church was dedicated in the second year of Mr. Pearson's 
ministry Ijy Bishop Simpson, whose life 1 ha\e sketched in this volume in 
connection with the history of the Matthew Simpson Memorial Church 
at Ardmore. The Bishop preached in the morning when this church was 
dedicated, ami l\e\-. Charles Fowler (afterward Bishop), preached in the 
afternoon. 

Re\-. Mr. Pearson resides at ]->lue Grass, near Bustleton. lie is one 
of the cha])lains c^f the Philadelphia Hospital and Almshouse, succeeding 
his saintly father. Rev. I'". C. l\'arson, who held this ])ost for many years, 
and recorded some notes of his de\i)ted labors and experience in ;i book, 
entitled "Sparks .\mong the Ashes." .Ml who met liim nnist ha\e been 
struck- with his noble character, and considereil him one suited to revive 
dying spiritual embers. 

\Vm. Wager l''isher. of ( )ld Radnor Ciuu-ch. was a Trustee of St. 
Puke's. Ills wife is an .authoress. I )r. Bradley, of West Philadelphia; 
W. 11. Sutton. I'^sq,. .and .Mrs. Crawford were also Trustees of St. Luke's 
Church. St. Luke's Church has a very nice parsonage adjoining the 
church. This church was a daughter of Old Radnor Church, and Rev. 
Mr. I'iper writes that the Simpson Memorial Church, at .\rdmore, is 
largelv due to St. Lidce's for its origin, and so the work of Christ goes on, 
and will advance in this spiritual seed-sowing mitil the world shall be called 
to the feet of Christ in love and adoration. J\ev. U. T. Ouigg has just 
been succeeded at St. Luke's by Rev. Cdadstone Holm: and Rev. J. W. 
Bawden. at Old Radnor M. I-l. Church. 1)\- Rev. K. II. llolTmann. 



m 




RURAL PEXXSYU-ASIA. 165 

Bkyn Mawr College (M. Carey Tliomas, l^resident). — Bryn Mawr 
College was endowed in 18S0 by Dr. Joseph \V. Taylor, and was opened 
in 18S5 with an endowment of a milliim and a half, ]iart for hnildiny" and 
gronnds. The grounds comprise hfty-two acres. The College huildings 
are Iniilt of stone. 

The College has been organized with s])ecial reference to giving both 
undergraduate and graduate or uni\-ersit_\- teaching. Tine library contains 
twenty-three thousand volumes. 

Three classes of students are admitted: graduates, undergraduates, 
and hearers. Instruction is largely by lectiu'es. which are followed by 
examinations. 

The course of study for all candidates for the .\. B. degree requires cer- 
tain com-ses in English, Philosophy, and Science; and, in addition, permits 
the student to choose as a "Group" two subjects which are homogeneous, 
or supplementary, such as Greek and Latin, or Biology and Chemistry, as 
her main suljjects of study, and also to elect certain other courses without 
restriction. Under this .system the student is enabled to lay the founda- 
tion (if a specialist's knowledge, and at the same time to gain a more liberal 
training than might be obtained should every student combine elective 
studies at pleasure. 

The College offers eleven graduate felk)\vships, of the value of $3^5 
each, in Greek, Latin, English, German, and Teutonic Philology, Romance 
Languages, History or Political Economy, JMathematics, Philosophy, 
Phv.sics. Chemistry, and Biology; three traveling European fellowships of 
the value of $500 each, and five resident graduate scholarships of the value 
of $JOO each. 

W'vNDH.vM. — This place, opposite Bryn Mawr College, was John M. 
Kennedy's residence, and was purchased from the estate by Theodore N. 
T'dv. The old stone mansion standing- l)ack from the street, with its 
green Idinds and dormer-windows, has an ample and cozy look. A lawn, 
falling in a natural terrace on one side, and containing a monarch of the 
forest standing in the quiet dignity of age, and an old orchard, facing the 
other side of the mansion, bring rustic thoughts into the midst of this city 
suburb. The vines which aljound on the stone wall, appear refreshing on a 
summer dav, and break the chill of winter. The water from a shower also 
shines on a bush, showing whence verdure comes by God's constant care. 
The flowers, being trumiiet creepers and rhododendrons, are remarkably 
beautiful, while the clematis is just bursting into bloom. The building is 
a specimen of a comfortable house of an earlier day, and the carving on the 
fireplace shows a fashion now being revived of ornamental woodwork. 



i66 RURAL PENXS)LrAXIA. 

riu' I'.h luiusi- has tlif mark I'. M. i7<Ki oil tlie i;"al)k'. nicaiiing' 
ratieiice .Mi)rL;an. llif widmv wlu) crccti'd tin- luiusc. She is styled in a 
deed, "tiic thrift}- (Juakeress." The stal)le is marked T. and l'. .M., being 
tlie initials of Tliomas and Patience Morj^an. So the stable was hnilt before 
the house. 

In the I'i-niisyl:\iiiiii Rtiilroad Men's Xc\<'s of Xoxember, A. D. 1895, 
\\'in. r>. Wilson sketches the career of Theodore Newel Ely. "Chief of 
Motive Power." Plans for locomotives, the conducting of tlie shoi)s, and 
purchase of machinery fall under his o\-ersight. 'I'he care of patents and 
car trusts is in his department. This noted ci\il engineer was Imrn in 
Watertowii, X. V. He was graduatetl at the Rensselaer Polyteclmic In- 
stitute. His railroad work began on the l^ittsburg. I'ort Wayne & C'iiicago 
Railway, imder its Chief Engineer. Mr. 11. .\. ( ianlner. After holding 
\arious offices of trust, in iSi)^ "he was promoted to his present ])osition. 
which practicallv makes him res])onsible for the entire equipment of the 
svsteni." Skill, experience, and energy, with kindly manners. gi\e him a 
verv high place in his xocation. llis inllueiice has ftirwarded a "high 
standard of railroad ei|uipnieiit."" 'file Peims_\ l\ aiiia Railroad exhibits at 
the Centennial and Paris lixhibitions, and the Chicago Columbian l-'air, 
were jilanned and carried out under his supervision. President Harrison 
chose him as a member of the committee to examine "the massi\e steel 
vaults of the United States Treasury at Washington." Mr. I\ly is con- 
nected with societies of engineers, including one in Tuigland, and a member 
of the Franklin Institute. He is a clear writer in the public ]irints. and 
a lo\er of art, as the designs of the ei|iiipnient of the I'ennsyhania Railroad 
testify. 

I>K<:(:'HWoon. — .\ ver\- large number of tinely-developed beech trees 
gives name to this jilace at the corner of Montgomery A\cnue and Roberts 
Road. The ])ro]ierty. comprising four and a half acres, is owned by 'fliomas 
E. McXitty. Ho ])urchased it about .\. I). 1889 of Steiihen ( ). Enguet, 
who built the house for his own abode. The material is line buff brick, 
and the i)l;m is a iie.'uitifnl one, so that the place is well known in the neigh- 
borhood, 'file location at the corner of the two axenues is a desirable 
one, and dis])l;i\s the house to good ad\;int;ige. I he ground slopes to 
the west, alTording ;i line \iew'. 

.Mi-. .MiA'itt\- \\:is born in ihmtingilon I'ounly. reiinsyUania. Jie has 
been engaged in the leather business in 1 'hil;idcl]ilii;i tor the ])ast twenty- 
five years. 

Frank 1\. Hippie has a residence on Montgomery .\\-enue. at 
the corner of Roberts Road. The view from this point along Mont- 



RURAL PEXXS]-I.J\IMA. 169 

^•()iner\' .\\cmie and the liillside is l)cautiful. Mr. llipple is tlic I 'i-csidcnt 
of tlie Real Instate Trust Company of I'liiladelpliia. He is a native of 
that city. 

1 )r. William C. Powell located at .\rdmore, where he remained one 
vear, and moved to Brvn Mawr, where he has since successfully performed 
the active duties whicli devolve on a countr_\' physician. His pleasant home 
on Merion Avenue gives needed rest after toil, while the whizzing trains on 
the Pennsylvania Railway, which runs by his dwelling, keep up the thought 
of busy life. His father was long a well-known physician in Bustleton, 
Philadelphia. 

L'pLAND. — Samuel Anderson Black was among the first who erected 
motlern residences in Bryn Mawr, and the above name of his ])lace well 
designates its high position. The ])leasant house of stone was designed 
by Mr. Black himself, and with its surrounding lawn and trees it claims still 
the dignit\' of an early settler. Mrs. Black and her famil_\- occup\- the man- 
sion. Mr. Black was born in Chester, Delaware County, Penns\ hania 
A. D. 1820. He was admitted to the Bar in Philadeli)hia, hut had in earl\ 
life been connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad with Thomas .\. Scott 
and H. H. Houston, and he returned to that work, and in time became 
Superintendent of the Middle Division. He died in 1890. 

Dr. Andrew Lindsay was educated at Delaware College, under the 
Presidency of Rev. Dr. James Wilson, and at Union College, Schenectady, 
New York, under the Presidency of Rev. Dr. Eliphalet Nott. His medical 
eilucation was received at Jefferson College, Philadelphia. He began to 
practice in A. D. 1857 in Philadelphia, and in 1864 removed to Radnor, and 
finally located in Bryn IMawr about 1880. He married Miss Hannah 
Lexering Fox, of Philadelphia. Dr. Lindsay has ridden thousand of miles 
in serving suffering humanit}. and is well and faxoraldy known throughout 
the community. An account of the Lindsay family is given in this \'olume 
in the portion pertaining to the \\'est Chester Pike. Dr. Lindsay's grand- 
father owned the old farm, called ( Ireenbank, on the Coopertown Road. 
The Doctor's maternal grandfather, named lirooke, was a l\e\-olutionar\- 
officer. 

Alta X'i.STA. — Frank Dale Lalanne is the owner of this beautifid man- 
sion, situated on high ground on Bryn Mawr Avenue. It was built by him 
about ten years since, having been modeled after the Chateau de Main- 
tenon. The house is large, and the extensive view is a delightful feature. 
The stone for the walls came from a cjuarry on the ground. 

Fox 1 1 ILL (Bryn Mawr Avenue). — Tliis name of the countrv-seat of 
Ruduhdi T*".llis originated in the abundance of fo.xes in the neighborhood 



I JO RURAL PHXXSVLfAXIA. 

in old lime. It was llu- a|iii(.-llatii)n of the country peojile. The Railnor 
llunt ( irounds are near at hand. Tlie lieautiful stone mansion was Iniilt 
in A. I). iSSi. 'rheojjhilus I'. Ciiandler Ijeini^- the arcliitect. The piazzas 
and porte-cochere, and terrace, with the ornamental stone wall with a ser- 
rated top at the base, and the red-tiled roof ft)rm a tine jjicture. which can 
only he fully apjjreciated 1)\- ridint;- up the winding macadamizetl drive, which 
has a pretty cottage at the entrance. The vines which cover the stone 
work of the mansion, specially one of the high chimne\s, are a striking 
feature. The out-buildings are in good taste. The "Cabin," as it is styled, 
was added as a billiard and recreatii>n-room, and has a cheerful appearance 
with its rustic interior finished in cherry wood. The woodwork, which 
is shown in the wainscot and rafters and stairway of the hall, and other 
rooms, has a pleasing effect. The cur\e of the dri\e to this elevated site 
constantly displays new and delightful \iews, and the summit connnands 
one of the widest and tinest landscajtes in the region, showing varied hill 
and dale and wood. 1 he land on which the mansion is situated was for- 
merly the property of luioch f)a\is, 'I'he trees which co\er the l.awn 
stand in natural beauty, and with no so-called attempted improvement 1)\' 
art. The hedges on both sides of the road are ;i \erdant introduction, 
while a ha-ha wall, topped with honeysuckles, runs down to Ithan .\\enue. 
This coimtrv-seat is a section of Rowland I'.lhs's part of the \\ elsli tract 
A long hill on the Davis farm stands out in bokl outline in the setting sun, 
while the tinkling sheep-bell is a pleasant token of rural life. The bells 
were brought by Mr. Ellis from Switzerland, and form a chime. 

The present ])ro]ierty runs on both sides of Bryn Mawr .\\'cnuc, and 
to the Coopertown Road and the Ivadnor and Chester Roatl on the south- 
west. The bell on the Davis farm is sounding the supper-call. This sweet- 
toned bell is from a Spanish nion;ister\ . and was presented to Mr. Ellis. 

In addition to the Da\-is farm, the lames Moore farm, and a i)art of the 
Rugh farm are in the present estate, as well as a portion of the llart estate, 
making in all o\er three hundred and fifty acres. 

The Moore farm is a stock farm, wliicli is used in r;iising thoroughbred 
horses. The l);i\is f.arm contains Jerse\' cattle ;nid shee]). .\ grove of 
Inli]) i)o])lars on the home lawn is the mark of the earlv settlement, but 
the trees in general were the individu.al woi'k of .\lr. b.llis. The breeding 
stable on the Moore f.arm ilis])l;i\s some verv tine slock, and the xoung 
horses look comfortable in their square stalls. .Ml <in this ])lace are 
thoroughbreds, though there are a few hackneys on the other farms. 
There are seventy to eighty horses on the combined farms. 

In walking along r.r\n Mawr i\\enue toward evening, "the drowsy 




Staiu.ks, Coachman's anh CJakukner's Houses on Linden Shade ^"AR^ 




"The Caimn" on Linden .shade I'aum. 



Page 173. 



RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 173 

tiuklinys" of tlie sheep l)e!ls give a pleiisiny music not often heard in tliis 
region, but famiHar to the luis^lisli poet Gray, when he wrote his "Elegy." 
Wordsworth might have selected this spot for his pastoral ballad of "The 
Pet Lamb," which Barbara Lewthwaite tried to comfort in its lonely or- 
phanage. 

In riding homeward o\er the meadow where James Moore so often 
wended his way to Inisiness or to church, a thought of the good man and 
his worthy spouse mingles with that of those who now improve the acres 
on which he toiled for many a year. 

Linden Shade Farm. — This farm of Rodman B. Ellison is on the 
Roberts Road, in Radnor Townshi]), a mile and three-quarters from Bryn 
Mawr, surrounded by the farms of l\udul])h l-'llis, F. J. Kim!)all, Dr. Shakes 
peare, B. F. Clyde, John Rnlon-Miller. and W. F. Fotterall. It was pur- 
chased of the John Mather estate, about A. D. 1886. John Mather was an 
excellent man, who li\ed to a good old age, and whose veneraljle form was 
a familiar sight when the writer of these lines used to visit old St. David's 
Church, Radnor, where the aged farmer loved to worship. The Mather 
family had held this place from Penn's day. The old stone farm-house 
was enlarged and modernized by the present owner, who uses it as a coun- 
try-seat. Two "ca1)ins" containing a library and Ijilliard and sleeping- 
rooms ha\-e been added. Cireenhouscs brighten the place. The stal)les 
are built on an English plan. A drivewa}' introduces to the stables, which 
ha\e the coachman's and gardener's houses l)efore them. Mr. Ellison 
raises manv fine horses and brood mares, and Jerse\' cows. 

The land here is rolling, affording many fine views. Kirk's Run, and 
another small stream, run through the place, and a picturescjue spring-house 
is a feature of the farm, which contains the highest point of land in Radnor 
Township. .\ lodge on Roberts Rnad furms a \ery ]iretty picture. 

The name Lindenshade is said to have been given the place by Wil- 
liam Penn himself, owing to the great number of linden trees growing on 
it. The original deeds are signed by him. 

The Clyde Estates, R.\dni)r Township. — In the fall of i8()j Mr. 
B. F. Clyde purchased the farm of Perry Litzenberg, Radnor Townshi]i, 
Delaware County, containing 125 acres. .\s we look to-day upon the in- 
terior of this modern and beautiful sunnncr hduie it is hard to realize that 
the old stone mansion is of historic interest. It dates back to 1770, six 
years l)eforc the Liberty Bell rung out the notes of freedom, and here al)OUt 
December 15th, in the old homestead, Washington made his headtpiarters 
while on his wav to X'allc}- b'orge in the memorable winter of 1777. Large 
stabliu"- has been added for the accommodation of horses, "( longhacres" 



174 RURAL I'ENNSYLVANIA. 

Stables being widely known for tbe breeding of thorovighbreds. I\lr. Clyde 
is an ardent admirer of borses. and believes that as the number in use de- 
crease the quality of those used should correspondingly increase. 

In March, 1893. Mr- \\'m. P. Clyde bought the adjoining farm of 1 15 
acres — the old stone house had li>ng been occuiiied by the famil)- of Daniel 
A. Abraham, and this farm in connection with the ])ro|)erty ol Mr. !'.. 1". 
('l\de is used for thoroughbred stock. .Mr. W'm. 1'. Clyde and .\lr. 11. 1". 
Clvdc arc the onlv sur\iving sons of Mr. Thos. Clyde, the veteran steam- 
slii|) c i\\ ncr. 

.\ splendid new house, just being constructed among the hills, is on the 
beautihd i)lace of Isaac Xorris, near the Hunt Station on the rhilailel]ihia iV 
Delaware ("ountv Railroad, which was ])m-chascd by him from Lewis ( larrett 
in A. D. iS()i. and comprises aboiu one hundred acres of land, located in 
Radnor Townslii]), Delaware County The ])roperty fronts on liryn Mawr 
Avenue, and the (ioshen Koad rnn-~ through it, as well as Darby Creek. 
The Norris faniilv were ]>romincnt in the early history of the Province, be- 
fore it became a State. 

The late'Tsaac Norris, "known as"lhc 4th, "was the grandfather of Isaac 
Norris, of Txadnor. His father, Isaac Norris, 5th, was a graduate of the Uni- 
\ersitv of I'emisvlvania in the Department of .\rts and Afedicine. lie ha^ 
been ])rominently connected with .all the scientihc and literary institutions 
in Philadel])hia for the ]iast forty years, being a member of the Philosoph- 
ical Societv, I'A'llow of the College of Physicians, member of the Pranklin 
Institute, and a founder of the l'"rce l,il>rar\' of Philadelphia, member of the 
\cadem\ of Xatin\al Sciences, etc., etc. 

Isaac Xorris the Cith, now under consider.ition, i> ;i gr.adu.Uc o| N ale 
College, of tlir (K'gree of Ph. P.. a gradn;ile of the Cni\'crsily of i'ennsyl- 
\ania of the degree of LP. P., ;ind ;i nn'mber of the Phil,idclplh;i liar. 

.\ famil\- histoi-\- of the Xorrises is given in Keith's Provincial Cotm- 
selors under the heads of "Isaac Norris," "Lloyd," and "Logan." 

The Xorrises .are haiglish 1)\- descent. ;uid were ol noble blood. 1 he 
first Isaac .Xorris was a I'Tieml, who came hither from Jamaica. IPs wife 
was Mary, daughter of Thom.ns Lloyd, President of the Provincial Council. 
Lie owned several thousand acres of land, including the site of Norristown. 
The famous Slate House w.as his city home, and I'air Hill his comury-seat 
in the Northeiai Liberties. He was the grandfather of Charles Thomson's 
wife. I'enn and his daughter Letitia lived in the slate roof house. Sec 
Thompson W'estcott's Historic Mansions, and my History of (ierniantown 
about the Logans and Dickinsons, who were related to the .Xorrises. John 
Dickinson wfoti' "The b'arincr's Letters," in i\e\'olutionar\- da\-s. 



o 

o 




RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 177 

TiiK Radnor Hiint (Communicated). — The Radnor Hunt was char- 
tered in August, 1866. when tiie i)resent chib property on Darliy Creek 
was act|uire(l. It has enjoyed a prosperous career since, and is to-day the 
leading hunt chih of the United States; surpassing all others in the number 
and ciualil}- of the hounds, of which they have three packs, American and 
Engdish; and in the appdintnients in the field, and in the hunting establish- 
ment generally, which is conducted in the same manner as the leading- 
hunts in England. The hounds are hunted four days a week during the 
season. The huntsmen and whijipers-in are mounted on su])erb hunters, 
equal to the country, which 1)\- hunting men is known to be a "stiff one;" 
only the wild fox is hunted, with which this section of Delaware County 
has always been well supplied. 

The Hunt has attracted lo\-ers of country life to the \-icinit\-, and every 
hill-top in the inuuediate localit}' is now marked b}- the home or hunting- 
box of some memlier, and the \alue of property has been greatly enhanced 
thereby. The Hunt enjoys a high degree of popularity with the farmers, 
and their annual hunt lireakfast and steeple-chases on Thanksgiving fDay is 
an e\-ent in the county. 

The officers are: President, A. J. Cassatt; Vice-President, R. Ellis: 
Treasurer, Geo. Philler; Master of Hounds. Charles E. Mather: Secretary, 
\\m. S. Ellis. 

More concerning the Hunt may be seen in an article in Harper's 
Monthly. March, 1S95. It costs $8,000 a year to support it. 

RosEMONT. — The .\shbrtdge Farm on the corner of Montgomery 
Avenue and Roberts l^oad is one of the old tracts of land which has mider- 
gone slight change of ownership since Penn"s da\'. A long lane from 
Roberts Road introduces the pedestrian to an ancient stone dwelling, 
erected A. D. 1769; there is also another entrance from ^Montgomery Ave- 
nue. The keystones o\-er the windows are an old feature, quaint and note- 
worthy, while an i\-y on the gable giyes a pretty contrast to the many- 
colored field stones of which the house is built, the outer walls being a foot 
and a half thick. A wide porch leads into a coniforta1)le abode. The 
wliite woodwork of the hall, with the walnut colored baluster rail of the 
staircase is a pleasant reminder of old times. On the west end is a roomy 
parlor, the combination of two rooms, from which large corner fireplaces 
with their high wooden mantels were remo\'cd. On the opposite side of 
the hall fi'dui the parlor is the librarw with its open fireplace. A douljle 
doorwa\' connects the librar\- ;uid dining-room, which has l)een brightened 
by the addition of a ba\-window. The double Dutch door in the ample 
kitchen is said to have once done dutv as a front door, and the old solid 



178 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

brass knobs assert its ancient dignity. A large oak beam stretching the 
wiiole length of the ceiling in the second story shows the firmness of earlv 
construction. The house contains twenty rooms, several ha\ing been 
added in later years, and also most of the modern improvements, which 
have been so arranged as not to mar its Colonial simplicity. A stone barn 
built A. I). 1813 has kept the house company for generations, and they 
are as good friends as ever, modern improvements disturb them not, for 
they are deeply set on their firm foundations. 

Among the early owners of this section of the Welsh Tracts were Wil- 
liam and l-lees Thomas, of Welsh descent; their names are cut as follows on 
a stone in the front of the house: 

E. 
Wm. Thomas 

P. 
Rees Thom.\s. 
1769 

The initial E. signif)-ing Elizabeth, the wife of William. ;nid 1'. for 
Priscilla, the wife of Rees Tliomas. 

A part of the Thomas propertv was sold to (leorgc l)unn. who died 
here a few years later. The ])ro])ert\- was then sold at ])ublic sale on X<.)- 
vember 7th, 1850, to Peter Pechin. Dr. George Smith, the local historian, 
being administrator. 

Peter Pechin was of French descent, his father. Christo]iher I^echin, 
came with his parents from the Province of Porraine. in I'rance. a1)out 
A. D. 1754. He became a prominent shi])])ing merchant and business man 
of Philadelijhia. During the Revolutionary War he assisted the cause of 
the Colonies l)y granting Congress a large loan: this was repaid in t'onti- 
nent.'d money, which bec;inu' worthless, and he tlnis lost the entii-e lo:ni. 
He was connected with the early history of .'>t. I'lml's l".])isco]ial Chun-ji, 
Third Street, Philadelphia. Christo])her I'echin died in Philadeliihi;i. 
( )ctober _'f)th, I jji). The following inscription is on his tomb in .St. l'au^^ 
Clr,irrh\;n-d: 

"Dtatli has cuiU|iK-rcd life. 
But Christ has conquered iKalli, 
.\ik1 I .shall live again." 

I'eter I'echin died in Delaware County. I'eimsylvania, July 19th. 
1858. He willed to each of his four children a farm, the Rosemont Farm 
to his daughter. Rebecca I'.niiK'. wife of Joshua .\shbridge. The Rosemont 
Farm then contained aboiu two hundred acres, including an addition of 
forty acres, extending to the Eancastcr Tm-niiike, inirchased by Joshua 
.\shbri(tgc, in 18^1, from the Thomas heirs. 



X 




RURAL PENNSYWANIA. i8i 

September i6th. 1863. Joshua Asliljriclge gave to the Pennsylvania 
Railroad Company a deed of right to use land at the intersection of the 
Penns_\l\ania Railroad and Lancaster Turnpike for the erection of a ])as- 
senger station, which was named Rosemont. after the farm. The site of 
the station was mo\ed a short distance further west in 1870. on account 
of the railroad being straightened: and again in 1892 to its present situation. 

Joshua Ashbridge's ancestors belonged to the Society of Friends. 
George Ashbridge came from Yorkshire. England, the 5th of the Fifth 
month, i6g8, and purchased a tract of land in Chester County, Pcnnsyl- 
\-ania. His son George was a member of the Provincial Assembly from 
Chester County from 1743 vmtil his death in 1773. Joshua Ashbridge 
was fourth in descent from the hrst George, and was the son of Thomas and 
Phebe Garrett Ashbridge. In the early part of his life he was in the woolen 
manufacturing business with his father, and later became interested in agri- 
cultural pursuits. Like his ancestor he took a deep interest in the affairs 
of his country, being a stanch Republican. Joshua Ashbridge died August 
lolh, A. 1). 1887, and was buried in the cemetery at the Lower Merion 
Baptist Church, of w hich he was for many )-ears Trustee. 

Rebecca Emily, daughter of Peter and Rebecca Hunter Pechin, and 
wife of Joshua .\shbridge, died September 17th, 1891. Her property then 
passed I)y will to her three daughters, Mary Pechin, Emily Rebecca, and 
Eliza Helen Ashbridge, the present owners and occupants of the Rosemont 
homestead. 

The residences of John B. Garrett. Willi.-im H. Joyce, Joseph F. Sin- 
nott. and others are on a portion of the original Ashbridge estate. 

The Ashbridges and Thomases are noticed in Cdenn's "Alerion in the 
Welsh Tract." For the Ashliridges, see pp. 82, 83. 

William Thomas was a former owner of the Ashbridge jilace. His 
wife's name was Naomi, and his daugliter Sarah married Dr. James .\nder- 
son, of St. (jcorges, Ardmore. 

W'ofiDFiKi.n. — The home of Edward Rol)erts, Jr.. is rightly named, as 
it i^ well fm-nished with trees. The lawn contains two ancient oaks in 
front, while others are in the rear, 'idiere are woods on both sides of the 
place, though the ground is open in front of the mansion. The grounds 
include a pasture-lot and garden. The premises cover sixteen acres, which 
was a part of the estate of Rev. Dr. Lyons, and several acres which were 
added to it from the Curwen estate, making it about thirty-three acres. The 
house was erected by Dr. Lyons, and altered by JMr. Roberts. It is of 
stone, with a very wide hall and large rooms. 

One of the finest undulating lawns oti Lancaster Avenue may be seen 



I82 



KfRAL I'lLXXSYLVAXlA. 



here. This axemie runs to tlie south of tlie jiroperty, wliile Count}- Line 
Koad is on tiie nortii, and Lowrv's Lane on tlie east. The Church of the 
Ciood Shepherd is on the adjoining;' groimds. 

Tlie tulip-poplars on this ])lace are very fine, as well as the chestnuts, 
l)ines, and oaks. 

Lancaster A\-enue is remarka1)l_\- well sluuled from here to ])e\'on. and 
the watered roads make a good drive. 

Mr. l\ol)erts is an officer in several coal, iron, and railroad companies. 




Bkvniiii.1i, Resiiience dk Ch.vri.rs W. Cisiim.\n. 



liRVNiin.i). — This Welsh name, meaning a high hill, well descrihes the 
country home of Charles W. Cushman. The ground was ;i ])arl iif Rev. Dr. 
Lyons's tract called \\ oodlield. riic well-known phil;inthro]iist and zealous 
cluu\-hman. William Welsh, erected tlie stone mansion, I'nrness, Evans &; 
Co. being architects, and Stacy Reeves l)uiKler. Mr. Welsh presented 
the ]ilace to Jiis daughter, Mrs. Cushman. He superintended the building 
of the iKMise. It was first occupied in June, A. D. 1875. 



o 




RURAL PENXSVLTAXIA. 1S5 

An Englisli larch, planted anil carefully fostered by Mr. Ciisinnan, 
is a tree-mark rather than a land-mark on this property. 

"Chetwynd." Residence of Mr. Jon.x H. Converse, Rosemont, 
Pa. — The greater part of this house was luiilt by Mr. Converse in 1883, 
but several important additions have been made, greatly increa.sing- the 
acconunodations, and adding to the ])ictures(|ueness and interest of the 
building. In 1887 a one-story wing was built, connecting with the library on. 
the rear. This was designed and finished as a gallery for pictures and 
other works of art, with top-lighting for day and night. The entrance 
from the grounds was arranged at the rear with a vestibule, which was 
carried up as a turret, and forms a very picturesque feature. In i8yo were 
added a music-room ofT the parlor, and the "Indian room" projecting from 
the side of the library, which tlien became a sort of lobby to tlie art gallery 
on one side and the Indian room on the other. These additions were all 
carried up to the full height of the house, and gave accommodations for 
additional bed-rooms, etc., in the upper stories, the "music-room" forming 
a tower flanking the principal front of the house. The house is built of 
gra\- stone, the gables being of timber work with rough-cast panels, and 
the roofs covered with red slate, with terra-cotta ridges, etc. It is beau- 
tifully situated on the top of a high piece of ground sloping toward the 
I-ancaster Pike, and shows well from all directions, commanding a fine 
view. It is one of the most elevated sites in this neighborhood. Messrs. 
Wilson Brothers & Co. were the architects of the original house and of all 
the additions. 

Mary Chetwynd was an English progenitor of this family on the female 
side, and lience the name. 

Air. Converse purchased various tracts here, covering sixtv acres, the 
first ]nirchase being in A. I). 1881. About a third of the land is cultivated, 
and the buildings and lawn may be said to cover about a third; and the 
last third is in pastm^e. The lloor of the house is 426 feet abo\e tidewater. 
The original house was begun in 1SS2, and finished in 1^8:5. 'I"he stone 
was chiell}' (|uarricd on the ])i"opcrl\". The hall shows the woodwork and 
stairway in rich designs. The i)arlor is large, and the bavs in this room 
and the hall add much to the pictin'es(|ue efi'ect of the ceiling. 

Mr. Converse was educated at the L'ni\'ersit\' of \'ermont. in Purling- 
ton. lie is a ])artner in the Baldwin Locomoti\e \\ Hrks. ha\ing been con 
nected with that business since 1870. 

Robert W. Smith, the Treasurer of the Pennsyhania Railroad, lives 
in the beautiful house at Rosemont owned b\- fohn H. Converse, and de- 
signed b\' the architect, T. P. Chandler. Mr. Smith has been connected 



1 86 RURAL PENKSYIJ-AXJA. 

\\\Xh tlic threat corijoration wliicli lias made the name of ]'enns\l\ania 
famous in locomoiion tlie woiiil over since January ist, .\. I). 1887, when he 
entered the service of tlie Company as 'J'reasurer. lie is a I'hiladelphian. 

\\'. H. Joyce's Residence. — The tasteful entrance to Mr. Joyce's resi- 
dence has a curved wall serving as a gateway, touched by a hedge on the 
lower side and an iron fence on the upper one. Two little rustic bridges 
and a miniature pond, and a waterfall and a little creek gi\e life to the scene. 
An ancient tree, with its wide-spreading branches, on the lawn tells of a 
time when country-seats were unknown here, and if, like Tennyson's "Talk- 
ing Oak," it could sjieak, tales of Indian lo\e and warfare might be heard. 
It is considerably over a century old. 

The house is of Port Deposit stone, l)uilt from designs by Theophilus 
P. Chandler, about three years ago. It is of the Tudor style of archi- 
tecture. 

The chestnut tree mentioned is said to be the largest in this country. 
Its age has been noted in discussion in Boston and other ]:)apers, where 
other trees have claimed ]irecedence, l)ut this monarch has been photo- 
gra]>lied for the jiapers, and maintains his rights. 

A circular porch in the rear of the house covers a wide \iew, and is a 
delightful summer retreat. 

The dandelion still shows its yellow head in this mild Xovember, and 
the cape-jessamine blooms against a foundation wall, and a rose — the 
American Beauty — is blooming in the o]jen air, while daisies have been 
lately seen. Merion Square and Ihyu Mawr College are in view. .\ sum- 
mer house and babbling waterfall are ])retty sights in the rear of the house. 

The following extract is from the pen of the railway men's well-known 
biographer, William B. Wilson, in the Pciiusyli'tniia Railroad Men's Ncics, 
September, .\. D. i8gi: 

"William H. Joyce, the General Freight .\gent, is in touch with the 
freight traflic of a continent, in close conuuunication with the great com- 
mercial interests of the seaboard cities, the (ireat Lake regions, the Missis- 
si])pi X'allev, and the trans-continental lines reaching the Pacific Ocean, 
and is an im])ortant factor in developing the resources of the Common- 
wealth of Pennsylvania, lie was born in I'>altimore, Maryland, in Sep- 
tember, 1854, and entered the railway serxice in that cit\- when l>ut fifteen 
vears old as messenger in the local freight station of the Xorthern Cen- 
tral Railway. Earning his way to promotion through the various grades 
of clerical positions ojien for him at that station, he so c<impletely and con- 
scientiously followed the details of the work that he not only laid the 
foundation of his future usefulness in the Conuncrcial Departments of rail- 



> 

X 







;j;<^ /-^>^ 



RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 189 

way transportation, l)Ut causetl liis promotion to a clerksliip in the General 
Freight Office of the same company wlien l)ut twenty years of age; from 
1874 to 1878 he continued as a clerk, advancing by industry and study until 
in tlie latter year he was made Chief Clerk in the oiitice. This latter posi- 
tion he held until, in 1882, he was made the Division Freight Agent of the 
same road and the lialtimore & Potomac Road. On the 20th of July, 
1885, he was promoted to the position of Coal Freight Agent of the Penn- 
s_\l\ania Railroad, one of the most delicate and important positions on the 
general staff, and rendered such efficient service and displayed such aptitude 
in his line that in October, 1888, when but thirty-four years of age, he was 
called to the position of General Freight Agent of the Pennsylvania Rail- 
road." 

A very striking object in the landscape is the splendid light gray stone 
mansion of Mr. Sinnott. on the Lancaster Pike, with its oriel tower and 
balconied entrance, standing on a hill which slopes gently to the l)oun(lary 
hedge. The young trees and shrubs in front on the wide green lawn di 
versify the \iew. On this mid-Xovember da_\- the willows still hold their 
lea\-es, though man}- of their comiKinions are leafless or brown. A pretty 
stable is in the rear. 

Parish of the Good Shepherd. — This ])arish was chartered in A. D. 
1S71, Rev. Dr. ?Ienry Palethorp Hay being the first Rector. Bishop 
Stevens appro\-ed the calling of "a meeting of residents on or near the 
Lancaster Turnpike, between Haverford and "The Fagle," at old Wayne 
Hall, June 4th. 18C19," as a pamphlet in my hand notes. J. Henry Askin, 
of W'avnc, then offered land and money for an Episcopal Church, and the 
free temporary use of the hall for worship. A goodly number were present, 
and among them Rev. William F. Halsey, Rector of St. David's (the nearest 
church), who spoke warmly in favor of the enterprise. On July 7th. 1869, 
a third meeting was held, and a Vestry elected. This month Rev. Henr\- 
C. Mayer, "a son-in-law of Bishop Stevens." officiated at a service in old 
Wayne Hall. Rev. William INIcGlathery, of Norristown, also held services 
for se\-eral Sundays, and was in\'ited to assume charge of the parish for a 
time, but declined on account of poor health, and Dr. Hay was elected 
Rector in 1869. The widow of Rev. Dr. Lyons gave a half-acre of land 
from her estate, "Woodfield," and the \'estry bought another half-acre 
from her. In 1871 A. Catanach & Son, of Philadelphia, entered into a con- 
tract to build a stone church from plans of Edward Potter, of New York. 
Services continued in Wayne Hall, and Radnor School-house, near Mor- 
gan's Corner, and in the house of Mrs. Elizabeth \\'. Supplee, where a 
Sundav-school was organized. The corner-stone of the new free church 



I90 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

"was laid by Bishop Stevens, St. James's Day, July 25th, 1871. The 
Church was a memorial of Bishops Bowman and Kemper," and was opened 
for divine service on Sunday (Epiphany), January 6th, 1872; and was conse- 
crated by Bishop Howe, of Central Pennsylvania (acting for Bishop 
Stevens), March 7th, 1872. "The Parish Building was built in 1877-78." 
In 1883 Rev. .\. B. Conger was elected Rector. The parish has erected 
a new church in another location since the aljo\e historical pamphlet was 
issued. 

Clovercroft. — The comfortable stone house of John B. (jarrctt, at 
Rosemont, standing on a ])leasant hillside, was designed by Addison 
Ilutton. It was first occupied in March, A. D. 1S84, and is the constant 
abotlc of Mr. (iarrett, who is the Thii'd \'ice-President of the Pehigh X'alley 
ivailroad. He is by birth a Phila(lel])hian, and graduated at Haverford 
School, now Ha\crford College, in 1834. 

Mrs. }dary Rhoads Haines, the mother-in-law of Mr. Carrett, resides at 
Clovercroft, and has written an interesting volume on local history under 
the title of "Clovercroft Chronicles." She is a sister of the late James E. 
Rhoads, President of Bryn Mawr College. 

The Rhoads famih- "has in the course of centuries borne the name 
De Rodes, I'ihodes, and Rhoads. The family is ])re-eminent!y English, 
l)eing traceable in Derb\shire. the \"er\' heart of England, up to the twelfth 
centinw" See Chronicles of Clovercroft. by Mary Rhoads Haines, p. 108. 

The family De Rodes has flourished for six hundred years in the shires 
of Notts, York, and Derby, the name undergoing several orthogra])hical 
changes. See pp. 109, i 10. 

In Clovercroft Chronicles, ]>]). 274. etc.. one may sec how sinijdy the 
industrious countr\- i)e()])1e of Pcims\l\ania livc(l in earlier days. An old 
(jermau \\(im;in spins llax in a sunn\- kitchen, ;inil ;i >])inning-\\lieel makes 
music while the tlies sing a chorus, and a child m.akes "knotty threads on 
a small im])lement gi\eu her for a i)la\thing." Colored refugees, who had 
come above M.ason and Dixon's line, were often emjiloyed as good work- 
ers. The earh' morning brouglit nu'al charms of bii'ds and light, as the stars 
melted away before the rising sun, while a country maiden made hei- cakes 
in the porch, under a shady sycamore, with ;i Carolina rose on a white- 
washed smoke-house to comjilete the ])icture, and wheat-fields in sight 
])romising a good liarvest. The s]iring-liouse was .attractively ])ictures(|ue, 
and its luscious cream refreshed the body. I'arm work kept the meti busy 
in spring-time when machines were unknown. .\]iril showers and cherry 
blossoms, and ])leasant family meals brightened the day, and evening 
brought cheerful couxersations, and news, and Scripture T'salms to intro- 



RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 193 

duce the niglit. Winter liad its own charms: and work-baskets showed in- 
dustrious and useful toil, while poetry, travel, and general literature en- 
livened the old Marple homestead of the Rhoads family on the Springfield 
Road, which seems to long for the old times to come again so well de- 
scribed in Clovercroft Chronicles. 

St. Thomas's College, Villa Nova. — The traveler on the railway 
sees the classic shades of this religious institution, with its noble buildings. 
Rev. Dr. Middleton has written its history in a valuable volume con- 
taining interesting illustrations, and his long and faithful labors here enable 
him to speak with authority. He is Prefect of Studies and Professor of 
Moral Theology, Church History, Canon Law, and Homiletics in the 
Ecclesiastical Department. His father, Joseph Aliddleton, assisted my 
historic work in Chestnut Hill. The famous Indian Rock was on his place 
at "W'oodside." See my Histor\- of (icrmantown, pp. 4^r)-46i. 

The son, at my request, adds here a brief sketch of the history of his 
college. The church work here, and in the parishes formed in the neigh- 
borhood has blessed the vicinity; and the memory of St. Augustine, Bishop 
of Hippo (now Bona), in Africa, in the fourth and fifth centuries, has its 
influence among these Pennsylvania hills and valleys to-dav. Good lives 
cannot die. 

The gifted poetess, Eleanor C. Donnelly, wrote an Ode for the Golden 
Jubilee of the College, given in Dr. Middleton's history, and I will cpiote 
a portion of it: 

"Oil I blest be the day, when the sun's golden ray 
First shone on these shades. Villa Nova revealing! 
Like the sunrise that shone on King Meninon's famed stone, 
Awakening a strain full of fervor and feeling! 
Grave doctor and sage 
In that long vanished age. 
Their record transcribed on our history's page, 
While the sons of St. Austin, witli tears and with toil. 
Their ,",ltars upreared on this prayer-hallowed soil!" 

".-Xll homage be paid the illustrious Dead! 

May their mantle descend on our guardians and masters! 
.And success to the Boys, full of knowledge and noise. 

Who have passed from these halls to Life's dreams or disasters! 
Time, trembling and old. 
Like a hermit hath told 
On his glittering chaplet, five decades of gold, — 
Villa Nova still lives! — Like the stars of the morn, 
May she live, may she shine thro' the ages unborn!" 



194 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

Villa Nova College. By Rev. Thomas C. AIiddletox, D. D., 
O. S. A. — Slightly less than a mile west of Rosemont, with its buildings 
crowning a gently sloping hill, stands \'illa Xova, the niothcr-house in the 
United States of the Roman Catholic order of religious known as Augustin- 
ians. Their first establishment in this country was made at Philadelphia, 
toward the close of the last century, where, in 1776, Re\-. Dr. ]\Iatthew 
Carr, a member of the Irish Province of their Order, foimded the Church 
and Convent of St. .Augustine. 

\llla Nova, an offshoot of tliis Philadelphia \enture. was ]ilanted in 
184-', chietly through the agency of I^ew John P. ()'|)\\yer, on the estate 
of the late John Rudolph, a well-knt)wn Catholic merchant of i'lurlingtou. 
N. J., and Philadcl]ihia, who there at his country-seat, known as "'P>elle-.\ir," 
set u]) a "station." or meeting-place, for the Catholics of the neighborhood, 
where occasionally the\' gathered for Mass and the scr\ices of religion. 
This was about 180O. Shortly after Mr. Rudol])h's death, in 1S38, a large 
part of his ])roperty was purchased bv the .Vugustinians, who ])urposed to 
establisli there, the headquarters of their Order in the country, a complete 
religious and educational centre, with con\'cnt, no\'ice, and study-house for 
their own members, and a college for the instruction of the laity in classic, 
scientific, and ]iolite learning. Under the protection of one of the famous 
saints of their ( )rder. Thomas of \'illa Nova, Fr. ()'l)wyer opened the 
convent and college at "P>elle-.\ir." henceforth to be known as \'illa Xo\a. 
in 1824. 

Their choice of titular saint for their institution seems singularl\- 
ap])ropriate, as the name of St. Thomas recalls the holy rmd learned suiierior 
of their Spanish Province of Castile in the sixteenth centni"\', under whom 
the first .\ugustinian missionaries to the New World founded in the City 
of Mexico, in 1351, the lirst school of learning on a large scale in America. 

.\t \ ilia Xova, besides the charge of the brotherhood and tlu' college, 
the .Vugustinians had the care also of the Catholics as far around as ten .and 
fifteen miles. In 1843 h'r. ()'nw\'er. the leading spirit of the new \entuie, 
numbered in all .about ;i h.alf-dozen f;nnilics in his congregation. In 1844 
Hishop l\(.m-ick dedicated N'illa Xova Clia])el. .-md in this building dixine 
services were held until 187J, when a frame structure, now used a^ college 
gymnasium, was erected to meet the growing needs of the faithlul. \ few- 
years later, in 1883, was l)egun the Large (iothic church, which, with its 
sitting-room for 700 persons, its seven alt.irs. ;uid its noble apsidal choir. 
gi\'es anii)lc scope for the accommodation of the l.aily. ;uid the obserwince 
of ritual in all its fullness. Offshoots of the \illa Xo\a .Mission, but now 



w 



^ 

p 




RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 197 

in(lei)cnilent cluirclies. arc tlic cuni^regations al ller\\\n, Ilrxn Mawr. ami 
Wayne. 

The year after tlie openinq; of the monastery in 1843, ''^' sanction 
of Oegory X\'I, Villa Nova was created a noxice-house of the Order. 
And in this same year the habit of relis;ion was first given to two aspirants 
of the Order, one of them, IJro. John, a \-eteran of some eight\-fi\-e years 
of age, dying in 1894. In 1843 the college conrse was opened to the laitv 
— tliirtccn }-ouths being enrolled on the first day — for their education in 
sacred and profane studies, philosophy, the classics, humanities, music, 
drawing, and the modern languages. 

In 1848 the College was empowered by the State to "educate persons 
in the \-arious branches of science, literature," etc., and to "confer such tle- 
grees as are granted in other colleges and universities of the L'nited. 
States." In 1849 ^^'^^ erected the east college hall, and in 1874 the main 
l)uilding, with a frontage of 174 feet, with halls and rooms sufticient for the 
residence and instruction of 150 students. 

The N'arious libraries at \'illa .\o\a com]>rise from 7,000 to 8,000 v/orks. 
The college year of 1X95-9C) closed with 117 students in the la\- depart- 
ment, and 19 in the ecclesiastical, under the care of 14 instructors. 

Besides a college paper. The I 'ilia A'azv Motillily. is published Our Lady 
of Good Counsel, the organ of The Pious Union of Genazzano in the United 
States, a socict\' with many thousands of the faithful on its roll of member- 
ship. 

Cl.mremont F.\rm. — Joseph E. (iitlinghaiu has what is indeed a 
model farm, with entrances on Montgomery Avenue and County Line 
Road, near Villa Nova, containing about three hundred acres, ]nirchaseil 
at various times of different persons. The site of the mansion house was 
formerK' (.)wned by Crawford Barr. 

The location of the pleasant country house of the owner of Clairemont 
I'\'irm — built according to plans of Addison Hutton — is a remarkably fine 
one, where the God of nature has spread beauty everywhere with no stinted 
li.Hud. The cle\ation conmiands one of the finest \'iews in this beautiful 
region, and the fall of the ground on e\'ery side indicates a wise selection 
of a site where sunuuer winds refresh the iimiates, and winter gales delight 
to revel. Some old trees were preserxed to shade the new abode, and one 
old monarch stands in the rear. 

In looking from the piazza, the gorge opening between the hills at the 
Gulf draws our delighted attention, while rolling hills clad in green woods 
make a tine picture on a bright clav in June. The trees on the lawn are 
mosth' the result of the work of the citizen-farmer, who has not tried to 



198 RTRAL PEXXSYIJ'AXIA. 

improve nature, and a copper-beech gives a pleasing \ariety among its 
verdant companions. S])ring-houses remind one of old times. The stables 
are an ornament, while the large stone barn is a marvel of neatness and 
order, being the best barn ever visited by the writer. It is three stories 
high, and the fall of the hill permits the unloading of hay and grain above, 
while the cattle ha\e ])rincely (juarters on the first floor. The Ijarnyard 
is paved with stone and kept clean, while the solid and liquid manure is 
collected in a pit covered from the air. A large numbei of Alderney and 
Jersey cattle are in their stalls at milking time, with quirt and meek faces 
glancing at the stranger. Each has its name, as Clo\er, Tiptop, Brownie, 
and Gliick (German, luck), and their fellows are fed on the cement floor 
with hay and bran — the bran being passed through a wooden tube from an 
upper stc>r\- and carried aromul the aisle in a rolling chest. The floors of 
the stalls are paved. The barn can hold four hundred tons of hay and grain. 
The roof is of slate, with a copper tlome. A root-house joins the barn, while 
a corn-crib, ice-house, and wagon-house complete the rostic village. A 
vine-clad farm-house is at hand. 

A steam engine grinds grain, and separates the cream from the milkwith 
many a rapid rexolution. and a large churn acknowledges the same power, 
which relieves the toiling females who in former times used to turn the but- 
ter-mill. An elegant sjiring-house, with enameled floor and white tiled 
sides, contains the waiting cream and the butter. An abundance of run- 
ning water keeps everything cool and fresh. An incubator shows a li\elv 
race of motherless chickens. A gardener's house, and colt stable, and 
grazing colts, and ]iretty calves, and pear and a]i])le orchards; trees singh' 
and in groups; and a picturescpie chicken-house of stone disi)lay the effect 
of that personal care which in about twenty-five years has ])roduced such 
a laudalile result. 

\\'e will ride (i\cr the farm and loi>k at the rich, brown soil. ]irc])aring 
for its work, while the horses tread on the green grass; and then take the 
County Line l\oad. reaching P.rinklow on the Clairemont Farm, which is 
()ccu])ie<l 1)\- M;dciilni l.lovd. of riiil;idclphia. A cozv two-storv jjiazza 
\aries the exterior of this country home, while a green grove gives it 
shelter. A noble wood, with grand old trees, skirts the road: and a 
miniature lake comes into view. 

Ai^thokp. meaning the old farm-house, the i\i\iting aliodeof .Mr. George 
K. Miiller, is also on the farm of Mr. (iillinghani. George K. iMiiller. who 
occupies this beautiful home, is a Philadelphian, who was educated in the 
])ublic schools of that city, and also spent several 3'ears in study in Germany. 
On his return to .\merica he entered the old cloth-house of DeCoursev, 



^i> 














en 
c=: 



CD 
tTl 



RURAL PENNSVLJ-JNIA. 201 

L;i P'ourcade & Co. His love of country life has drawn him to this pleas- 
ant and healthy spot. But here is Meadowcroft, another residence on this 
estate of villas. The old house has hecu modernized in the best of taste, 
preserving an antique look. The gables, showing outside tind)er work, 
as in Swiss and English buildings; and (|uaint double doors make an at- 
tractive introduction. Two porches break the front, while a third i)ro- 
jecting porch at the end, combines the idea of a room and ;i summer- 
house, and a sweet-brier bush adds its charm. But the old fireplace within 
is the feature of historic interest. It is of immense size, while the original 
large crane, which held m.any a sa\or_\' dish in elder days, still keeps its 
lonely watch over departed embers, as the ancient scion of a noble house 
strives to preserve departed glorv. How many a large log went to smoke 
on this am])le hearth; and how on winter mornings the surrounding farmers 
knew that the familv were ali\'e bv seeing the cloud of blue smoke rising 
heax'enwartl to greet the dawn. Perhaps some \oung stutlent pored o\er 
his book by the light of the great log burning before him; and at Christmas, 
ami other festivals, the family gathered round the hos])itable hearth; and 
the joke and song went round, or, at times, the thought of the absent or 
dead, who had shared their merriment in l)ygone days, forced a sigh ov a 
tear. The very thick stone walls, pierced by a modern window, and the old 
wood rafters, shown in the ceiling of the room, tell us no tales, and imagina- 
tion must fill the gap. The latticed English windows are a good setting 
to this anticjue picture. Mr. George Fletcher is the favored occupant of 
this rustic retreat. The finely-kept places on Clairemont Farm are a bene- 
fit to the neighborhood; and the men emploved upon it find use in the taste 
wliicii leads a gentleman to strive to imj^rove and elevate country life, 
while neighboring farmers gain information. We read in H Chronicles 
_'() ; 10. that Uzziah, King of Judah, "'loved husbandr\-," and digged wells 
;incl "had nuich cattle, both in the low c(.)imtry and in the plains; husbandmen 
also, and \'ine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel." If hardworked 
business men would imitate him, they would get the relief in touching 
nature, which Antaeus, in the mythological fable, rccei\'ed when he was 
thrown on the lap of his mother earth, and the giant son of Terra and 
Neptune withstood Hercules until he slew him Ijy holding him in the air. 

Our drive led us past an ancient Brooke house, where the ancestor of 
the well-known ^lark Brooke, father of Lewis T. Brooke, and grandfather 
of George G. Brooke once dwelt. It is noticed in Glenn's volume on the 
Welsh Tract, and a picture of it is given. Hannah Brooke, of Norristown, 
now owns the property. 

The monument at the (iulf conuneniorates Washington and his army, 



202 RURAL PENNSVLJ-ANIA. 

wlio encamped here in A. D. 1777. before going into winter c|uarters at 
sad Valley Forge. 'i1ie Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolu- 
tion ]ierf()rmed a connnendahle work in erecting a nati\e boulder from the 
adjoining hill, in 1892, with a proper inscrijjtion. 

The Gulf Mills were built in 1747. and were lately burned. Gulf Creek, 
which gave the water power, eni|)lies into th.e Schuylkill at Conshohocken. 
It is said that Wasliingtcm sle])t in the llendersun Sup]>lee house near 
the monument. 

Cream X'allev is a ])rctty bit of scenerx' in this region. 

The Ciull Christian Church is before us. It was lately enlarged by kind 
and generous contriluuions from neighboring benefactors, -whose hearts 
were mo\ed bv (iod to ])erpetuate the work of Christian faith and lo\e. 
The old stone church had a close resemblance to the simple chancel tjf 
England's niuiher church. St. .Martin's, C 'antcrbui'\ , and mi, by a ha])py 
thought, the new church placed in trout of it, was made to resemble the 
]ilan of that church, and the stime ul the neighborhood afforded material. 
A pictui'e and historical notice of the English church is gi\en in Rev. C. 
Arthur bane's Illustrated .Votes of l'",nglisli Church History. The inscrip- 
tion on the older jjart of the PennsyKani.a building runs, "The I-'irst 
Christian Meeting-House in Copper Alerion. .V. 1). 1833." The old part 
of the edifice forms a ])leasant Sunday-school room, which may be used as 
a ])orlion of the main Iniilding bv mo\ing wooden ]»artitions. rolled as cur- 
tains. Re\-. J. 1'). Clark is the ])resent worthy pastcjr, .\ graveyard is the last 
earthly resting ])lace of many of the inhabitants of former days. A Ijell of 
fifteen hundred pounds weight makes the solid sipiare tower \-ocal on 
the Lord's Day, and the morning air bears the echo to man\- a farm-house, 
calling the inmates to worship God on his Hol_\' IJay. l-ong may it i"esound, 
and, as now, find an al)un(lance of souls to obey its sunnnons. 

The countr\-seat of W illi;ini h". ( larrett, jr., extends from the ( iulf Road 
to Montgomery .\venue, and west to Matson's i'^ird Road. The house, 
surmounting one of the nunu'rons hills wliich furnish desirable sites in this 
section of the comUrw is built of stone ami wood. .\ line view is obtained 
])v the rise of the ground, ;nid the l.avvn slojies from the dwelling to the 
l)ublic road. .\ hiuidsome stable, with a carriage-house, is on this i)lace, 
.\ chime of bells struck the (|uarter-hour from a clock on the stable tower 
as we \'iewe<l the lawn. 

The green-houses are very extensive. The farm sl.ablc is ,'i neat 
building. .\ porch in front, and a ]:)iazza on one side vary the exterior. 
The Gulf Church is a ])leasant object in the extended view over the un- 
dulating countrv to the southw.ard, where hill ,'mil d.alc mingle in goodiv 



RURAL PENNSYWANIA. 205 

company. The tower might lead one to imagine himself in Old England. 
A natiu-al terrace descends from the house, and a winding road leads to the 
highway. Bright arhor-vitae bushes eulix-en the scene. Japanese trees 
stand among their American cousins, and an artistic gateway finishes the 
lovely picture. 

T. W'istar Brown's property adjoins that of Mr. Garrett. This gen- 
tleman has many varieties of oaks, which give individuality to his estate. 
Montgomery Avenue is here heavil}- shaded by trees, and the road is 
macadamized. It runs to Belmont A\enue in the Park. The gentlemen 
ha\'e striven to preserve the various kinds of trees in this neighborhood. 
The large stone house of Mr. Brown is a ])romineut ])oint in the view, and 
the red tile roof makes it more striking, as color always gi\-cs life and jjer- 
sonality. The estate of Ednuuid Smith, I'irsl \'ice-President of the Penn- 
svlvania Railroad, is next to the farm of Mr. (iillingham, on the east. It 
coxers over sixty acres. Mr. Smith erected the large stone mansion upon 
it, where his widow now resides. 

George Curwen's place lies at the corner of Montgomery A\-enue and 
County Line Road. Delaware and Montgomery Counties are divided by 
the last-named road. The Curwen family originally had hundreds of acres 
of land, and the\- allowed clumps of trees to remain on it, adding to the 
beauty of the pro|)crty. The comfortable house is visilile from the road. 

Bri.\r Crest. — At the corner of Spring Mills and Gulf Roads, the ex- 
tensive house of W'm. Henry Maule is situated on a hillside. It is built of 
stone and wood. The piazza juts out over the lawn to catch a fine view, 
embracing Yivxn Mawr, and extending to Haverford and beyond. An at- 
tractive lodge and hetlge at the main entrance command attention, while 
an iv\-coverc(l gardener's house is a pretty object at the lower gateway. 
I'he mansion was built in .\. U. '^i>~'/. by the ])resent owner, (i. \\'. & A\'. D. 
Hewitt being the architects. The Maule family have been large land 
owners in this region in past days, and it is interesting to know that Mr. 
Maule has returned to a section of the countrx- where his early relatixe, 
Jacob Maule, sai at the head of the old Radnor h^-iends' Meeting tor many 
years. Mrs. Maule was Miss Hieskeil, granddaughter of John \\. Myers. 
long and favorably known as a liusiness man in Philadehihia. The lawn 
and grounds displav the tasteful labor mid care which lia\e been laxishly 
bestowed upon them at great expense. The land is covered with a large 
variety of hardy blooming plants and shrubs from various parts of the 
world: while in addition as many as forty thousand different bedding plants 
are used annually in decoratixe tlower beds, which during the winter are 
l^ropagated in fixe green-houses, thus each s])ring offering op]iortnnity for 



2o6 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

the marvelous exhibition of God's handiwork. Tlie lawn-mower weekly 
trims more than sixteen acres. Many old trees have been left in natural 
beauty. A great white oak stands as a king among them, and a spring- 
house rejoices under its shade. The trees shelter azaleas and rhododen- 
drons. The variety of color of the flower beds ])resents many pleasing con- 
trasts. Shru1)s and other hard\' plants border the roadside, forming an ex- 
cellent background. The Latin scholar may jog his memory among many 
floral names jjefore him. as lie learns a lesson in l:)otany. Dahlias are given 
much ])rominence, as tlieir owner loves them. To the entrance lodge walls 
clings Japanese ivy, green in sunnncr and bright in autunm's dyes. English 
ivy kee])s company with it, both being used extensively whenever oppor- 
ttmity offers. Not counting the five green-houses, there are seven sejiaratc 
buildings on Mr. Maule's ])lacc. all but one erected by the present owner. 
While not as large as some others in extent of acreage, one cannot \isit 
Briar Crest without expressing astonishment that so mucli of the beautiful 
in nature could ha\e been comjiressed in so limited a space. 

The new brick hotel, called the Cireen 'Jrec. is on the site of an older 
inn. 

Mrs. Levi ^Morris's estate of over 600 acres is now passed. His widow, 
Naomi Morris. survi\-efl her husband many years. Miss Catharine Morris 
now li\es here. Her sister is the wife of lames .'-^hinn, the druggist, of Phil- 
adelphia. 

'ihe good roads on which we ride are due to the wise supervisorship of 
A. J. Cassatt. who has highly fa\ore(l the countix l)y o\erseeing its high- 
ways, and the property-owners ha\e conlriliuled to add what was needful 
to the taxes. 

Mt. i'leasant School bouse, where ;i <la\ and ;i Snnd;i\ -school ;u'e con- 
ducted, is a mark of the American lo\e for education ;nid i"eligion. Mrs. 
William Crawford's Large place is on our route. be\'ond which is 

WooDMONT. — .\l;ni Wood. ]y.. owns the estate with the above name. 
I'lie section around the house, inchiding the gardens, is st\-led Woodmont 
Park. The house was constructed between iSiji ;ui(l iSi)4. William L. 
Price, of l'hiladel]ihia. being the architect. The style is that of a Prench 
Ciothic chateau. .Stone from the vicinity furnished most of the walls, the 
cellar being cut out of the rock. Lic])erville stone, with limestone 
trinuuings. were used in facing, and the stable is from the stone (|uarried 
from the cellar. The site is 473 feet abo\c tidewater, oxerlooking the 
\^alley of the Schuylkill for fifteen or twenty miles around. The highest 
site in Montgomery County is on the Woodmont Farm, being twenty-five 
feet hiL;liei- than the mansion site. There ai'c neat lodL^e-houses. Wood- 



o 







RURAL PENNSYWAXIA. 209 

mont Farm contains about 100 acres, and JJelle\ue and i Highland Farms, 
owned by Mr. Wood, adjoining, also contain about a hundred acres eacli. 
The Spring Mill Road runs through the farms, and the Woodmont Road 
also passes between the places. The Woodmont Farm had been owned by 
the Newberry family for a century before Mr. Wood purchased it in 1880. 
The Belle\'ue and Highland h'arnis were a i)art of the John Y. Crawford es- 
tate, and were bought from the estate by Mr. Wood in 1885. Highland Farm 
was well-named in old time from its elevated position. The farms are well- 
kejjt. and in the best condition. On Highland Farm was a stone mansion 
house, which Mr. Wood beautifully remodeled, and it has been rented to 
citizens yearly, furnished. Richard (i. A\'ood. of Pittsl)urg. is dwelling 
there this summer. There is also a fine farm-house. The stone barn on 
i'>elle\ue Farm is be!ie\-ed to be the finest one in Montgomery Count}-, ac- 
commodating fifty cows and twenty-five horses; and hospital stalls are 
added for sick cows and horses for isolation. 

The fine establishment of Mr. Delano occupies a commanding site on 
the road from Conshohockeu to llryn Mawr. He is connected with the 
bankers. Brown Brothers, and has lately moved to New York. 

The Hon. W'ayne MacVeagh, late United States Ambassador to Italy, 
owns a country estate here. A neat farm-house, vine-covered, and pretty 
stables first coiue into \iew, and then the stone mansion peeps through 
the trees, with its porte-cochere. .\ nice lawn is made pictures(|ue b\- a 
rustic bridge. The place contains 300 acres. 

IxsiMRATinx F.\RM. Real Estate. — .\n old sheepskin and a great 
wa.x seal, their tale of olden times. Mr. S. Twitchell's purchase re- 
vives historical memories. In making a settlement for the Esrey Farm 
of 134 acres in Lower Merion Township. Montgomery County, S. Twitchell 
has come into possesssion of a curious old document, accompanied by a great 
wa.x seal, both of which ha\'e stood the wear and tear of 180 years, and are 
still in a splendid state of preser\-atiou. S. Twitchell purchased the Esrey 
farm for less than $300 an acre as an iincstment, and is now using it as a 
stock' farm. It is pru't of a 3on-acre tract to which the old docnment 
and seal refer, which was ])art of a tract which William Penn sold 
to Joshua Holland in 1682. The acreage purchased by Mr. Twitchell 
lies beyond Merion Scpiare. along the State Road. It was formerly 
known as the Llewellvn Homestead, and the old Llewellyn house is still 
standing. This building, which is two stories high, is a curiosity in itself. 
It appears to have been built in 1716 of stone and wood taken from the 
premises. The cellar walls are of huge rocks, plastered, and the house 
walls arc of flint stone al)out three feet thick. The woodwork, which is 



2IO RURAL PENNSVLI'ANIA. 

fairlv well ])rcsLTve(l. is of chestnut and oak. the doors being of unusual 
tliickncss, and tlie windows ])eing- s(|uare, with small jianes of glass. There 
is an old spring-house on the grounds, and until recently there was a large 
stone 1)arn, which burned down. The old roll, which the owner of the 
property has sectn"ed, tells an interesting stor\ of earU- Colonial records 
and doings. It is full shee])skin, and the ink upon it stands out promi- 
nently, despite the nearly two centuries of time that h:;\-e elapsed since it 
was indited. The document is not in itself a deed, l)ut a recital of former 
deeds, tlie "all and singidar" jiremises being "exem]ililied'" at tlie request 
of Matthew IJewclKn, of Alerrxon. in the Countx' of I'hiladelphia. \eoman. 
"and 1)y" Tliomas Story, keejier of the great seal and Master of tlie Rolls 
for the Province and Territories at I'hiladeliihia, "on December j()th. in the 
I ith year of ye Reign of Sovereign Ladv .\nn (jncen of (Ireat llritain. and in 
the }'ear of our Lord, 1712." "William I'enn a true and absolute Projjrie- 
tory anil (io\-ernor in Chief of ye l'ro\"ince of Pennsylvania and Territories 
thereunto belonging," is the way the certificate oi^ens. "Know ye that 
amongst the rolls and records remaining in the roll office at l'hiladel!)hia 
there is a certain record in these words, viz." Then follows tlie old form 
of the deed beginning: "To all Christian people to whom these i)rcsents 
shall come," and reciting that John Holland, Shipright of I'hiladelphia, for 
twenty and i\\c ]:)ounds of good and lawfitl tnonevs of this Province, and 
with wliii'Ii he owned himself fulb- contented, satisfied and ))aid, made ovev 
to (ieorge Collet, fartiier of Philadelphia, and his heirs, a certain ffarme 
or Plantation, his titles to which is thus gi\t'n, situate, bing and being on 
west side of the Srhnxlkill Ri\er. in the ('ounlv of Phil;ulelphia (being ])art 
of my iTather's ])urchase). being fi\e thousand acres bought ;inil paid for of 
\\'illiam I'enn. Proprietary and (io\-ernor of this Pro\ince and Territories 
as Ijy a certain deed l>earing date. 15th. <'th. Mo.. I'lSj. do and m;i\ more 
at large appear and since to with, on i he 1 wt h d:i\ of the t bird Moni h. i ("S^. 
freely given and made o\er unto me b\ m\ fl'atlKr. lo-hu.i Holland as by a 
certaiti deed of gift, bearing date the Mjlh. ^d .Month. idS^. aforesaid, begin- 
ifing at a certain corner marked tree, standing by the Rixer Scluulkill. from 
thence ruiming west, southwest by a line inarK-e(l trees 400 ])s. to a corner 
marked ])osl; from thence south, southeast by the land belonging to 
Tlionias k'His joo ])S. to a corner marked tree; from thence east, northeas' 
1)}- the l.niiil of ( 'hi-istophcr l';uniacks 400 jis. to a corner marked tree, stand- 
ing by the aforementioned ri\er, from thence u]) the several courses thereof 
to the first place of begimiitig. .Sur\e\e(l and laid out .as abo\-e bv the 
Surveyor Cieneral's C)rder the _'d, day of the fnst .Month 10S3 I'or live 
hundred acres of land. The sale b\ llolland to C'ollet. accordinsj' to tlu- 







n 




RURAL PENNSYU-ANIA. 213 

recital was on tlie I3tli, ila\- of tlie 3(1, Alonth \M'^. heins^ the first year of 
King James the 2<1; and the acknowledgment to the deed thereof was made 
in open court, as attested by the clerk, Patrick Robinson, in the presence 
of Robert Hodge, George Warren, Robert Longshore. 7th, 5tli, Month 
July 1685. Sometime following the sale to Collet the ground became in 
possession of Llewellyns, one of whom it is understood built the house 
which has been described. Attached to the old parchment containing 
the aforegoing information is Thomas Story's signature at the place of the 
seal. The seal itself is of wax, made hard by the impress of the stamp, and 
probabl\- hardened b}- age; it is a third of an inch thick, about four inches 
in diameter. 

The present owner of this property, Selden Twitchell, jjurchased it 
from Air. Walter W. Hood, .\ugust, 1895. Mr. Twitchell is a descendant 
of New England stock, who settled in Dorchester, if>35, and afterward 
in Sherbourne. His great-grandfather was one of the leading citizens of 
Sherbourne for a series of years: was an officer in the Revolutionary Army, 
representative \.o the tieneral Court, and Justice of the Peace, and for 
fourteen years Town Clerk and Treasurer. The present owner. Selden 
Twitchell, is a son of George Sulli\an Twitchell (who was engaged in the 
manufacture of carbonated beverages in Philadelphia from 1844 to 1867), 
and is engaged in the manufacture of carbonating machinery and supplies 
in Philadel])hia. This said farm is bounded by farms owned by the fol- 
lowing ])arties: Hon. W avne Mac\ eagh, luigene Delano, estate of John 
Barr, H. Thomas Rawlins, Jacob Lentz, Horace Ciillingham, and P. Murray. 

After this historic digression we continue our ride. The cheerful 
farm-house of Hagy 'S'ocom, and the lawn descending to the road looks 
li\-el\- to-day, as young children adorn the piazza more than growing plants 
beautifv the ground. .\s we meet the farmer in riding, his hearty saluta- 
tion to my fellow-traveler, just home from lun-ope, evinces the pleasant 
and cordial relations of country life. And now the Morris property, called 
Harriton is reached. 

On the Ivoberts Road is the okl stone house which, in a jirevious gen- 
eration, sheltered one of young America's greatest men, in the person of 
Charles Thomson, the Irish-American patriot, and associate of Franklin, 
the Indian's friend, and the wise statesman, and Secretary of the Continen 
tal Congress, and the finished Greek scholar, who translated the Septuagint 
into English, and prepared "a synopsis of the Four Evangelists." This is 
on the Morris estate, and we strain our eyes to look at so famous a spot, 
and are glad that modern so-called improvement has spared the relic. John 



214 RURAL PENNSVU'ANIA. 

,\(lanis stvlcd llionisdn "tlu' Sam. Adams of I'hilaiU'lpliia. tin- lil\' of tin- 
cause of lil>ci"ly."' 

'I'hc Ciulf I'.aplisl C'lmroli, witli its anciciU ,L;ra\L-yar(l. is a most interost- 
ing spot. The Rev. Horatio Gates Jones, of Koxl)oroii<;li, was its pastor, 
and liis son, of tlic same name, well known as a lawyer, and a local historian, 
and interested in Welsh matters, kejit up his membership here until his 
death, thoui;h he lived in the old family mansion on the Ixidge Road, in 
RoxhorouL^h. The (inlf Road, along which we are jiassing", is one of tho 
oldest highwa\s in IV'nnsxK ania. I'enn's coat of arms is on the mile- 
stones. The road runs fi-om I'hikidelpliia to \'alley Forge. We see the 
long house of Dr. James rxson, of the L'ni\ersity of Pennsylvania, on a 
sloping hill. Soon comes the entrance to llarriton, where the drive loses 
itself among the trees as it passes on to the house, (ieorge Craig has a resi- 
<lence near this point. 

Lieutenant .\le\;inder Montgt)mer\ Th.-ickara's country mansion is 
on Thornbrook .\\enne. It was erected b\ him in A. I>. 1SS7. The build- 
ing is composed of stone and rough-cast materials, in the \\ elsh style of 
construction. A. j. llovden was the architect. The stxle of the house 
gives it a special and individual and ])leasant ai^pearance. .Mr. Th.ickar.i 
is a graduate of the United States .\'a\al .Vcadeni)'. at Amiapt)iis. Alary- 
land, and served seventeen years in the .\avy. leaving the service in 1882. 
He is now engaged in manufacturing business. Mrs. Thackara is a 
daughter of General Sherman. She is a member of the .Societx' of Colonial 
Dames. 

Redstone is the country-seat of (ieorge .\. 1 leyl, bounded by Thorn- 
brook .\\enue and Ithan Road. It includes ten acres. The house is con- 
structed of red stone, brought from the lludson River region, in New 
York. S. tiilTord Slocutu, of Saratoga, was the designer. The dwelling 
was erected in iSSS. The ground was purchased from William T. Tiers. 
being a part of the Sidne\ J. Solm's estate. There is a beautiful lawn, 
studded with shrubbei'w .and enclosed b\' hedges of osage orange and 
Norway spruce, which add nutcli to the charm of the place. The tasteful 
dwelling tits its surroundings. The stable is of stone, cement, and wood, 
being a j^ectdiar construction. Ali". ile\l is President of the (iloucester 
Mamifacturing romjiany. 'The ipiaint stable. ;uid the red roof of the luan- 
sion here, and its ])rojecting chimney draw the attention of the iiasssing 
tra\eler. 

St. APvutix's Cm-RCii, R.vdnor. By Rev. Wtxfihi.d S. B.\er. — 
ilie liegimiing of this jiarish is connected with the Church of the Good 



R URA L PENNS YL I 'AN I A . 



217 



Shepherd, Kosenioiit. the meniliers of which attended ser\ice near tlie 
present locati(-)n uf St. Martin's l)efore tlie echtice t)f the C hurch of the 
Good Shepherd was erected. After its erection services were continued 
in the school-lioiise at Radnor from A. D. 1871 to 1881. The lot on whicli 
St. .Martin's stands was jiurchased in the lieg'iiniing; of 1877. In tlie spring 
of 1879 ground was lirokcn. In September, 1880, active ojjerations were 
begun for the completion of the church, in accordance with plans preparefl 
l)y Theophilus I'. Chandler, architect. The corner-stone was laid on Octo- 
ber 4th, 1880, and the first service was held on Sunday, August 14th, 1881. 
The parish was duly incorporated under the title of "The Kector, Church 
Wardens, and \'estr\men of St. Martin's Church, Radnor," on June 22(1, 
1887. The Re\-. Percival H. Hickman was the first Rector, and continued 
in that ])osition from August, 1887, 
to .\])ril, 1889. Diu-ing his incum- 
bency the Rector\- was begun, and 
finished in time to receive his suc- 
cessor, the i'ie\'. (ieorge .Vbbotl I ImU. 
jnl\- 14th, 1889, who was Rector from 
this da\' imtil No\'emlier 15th, J 891. 
lie is now Rector of Christ Church, 
Eddington. Pa. The present Rector 
(1897) of St. Martin's is Rev. Winfield 
S. r>aer. who entered on his iluties 
January ist, 1892. 

In .\.pril, 1895, ground was broken 
for a Parish House, and the house 
was completed in September of the 
same year. It is of the same kind of 
stone as the church, which it adjoins, giving a rear entrance to the same, 
and affording needed accommodations for the parish work. It has an 
assembly room, seating 200, an infant-school room, and a guild-room. 
Connected with St. Martin's is St. ^Martin's Chapel, at fthan (soutli of 
Radnor), the outgrowth of services held in the school-house at that place. 
The Chapel is a prettv frame building, costing complete about $t,too. The 
first service was held in it on January 20th, 1895. The belfr\- and bell 
were given 1>y Mrs. Lincohi Godfrey, at Easter, A. D. 1896. Work is also 
carried on by St. Martin's about two miles north of the parish cbm-ch by 
cottage meetings lield weekly during the winter. 

We add to this sketch that Rev. Mr. Baer is the Secretary of the 




.St. Makhn's Chai'ki.— Ithan. 



_m8 ATAM/. /7:'.V.V.V)7,rJ.\7. /. 

Diocesan (.'onx cnlidii nf rcniis\ 1\ ania. as well as llic Socrclary ol lli^hon 
\\ hitaker. 

( )i.i) Kadnhh 1''i<ii;m)s" M icktixc. I!\- Jdsi-.ni '!'. I)(>k.\\. — I'roliaMy 
till' most iiUcresling- histi)i"ical laml-niai'k in Kailnor Tdwnslii]! is ilio ( )1(1 
Ivadnor Meeting'-Housc, at lllian. at tlu- jnnolion nl the ( )U1 I'oncsto^a 
Road. and Old Radnor Koad. lUnlt alxnii 1717. tlu- date on a ])art of the 
Imilding-. it is closc-lv identified with the history of the locality, and of the 
families of the original settlers. The Radnor, I laverford, and Merion Meet- 
ings were, as (ilenn says in "Merion in the Welsh Tract," page 371, "practi- 
cally one and the same meeting, althongli they separately controlled in tnrn 
the Yearly, the Monthly, and I'reparatory Meetings of Friends. The reconls 
of these meetings for a numher of years were not entirely sc])arated. a fact 
that frec|nently leads to confnsion." These reconl> fnrnish a mine of histor- 
ical wealth that some da\" will he worked with most \,ilnalile resnlts. l)nring 
the \'alle\- h'orge enc.am]imem it was occnpied as an ol'licers" <|narter, and 
as a hospital for the American Armw The records of the Society show 
that the\- were deprixed of the use of their mecting-honse l>y reason ot 
"its lieing occn])ied li\ soldiers," and il rciniire<l considcrahle rep.air to |iul 
it in coiulition for monthly meetings, whicli were not resnmed there nntil 
1780. — Smith's History of Delaware Cdnniy. p. ,^jS. The iieaceful cpiiet 
of the Society was broken 1)\' the memlicrs who entereil military ser\ ice in 
defense of tlair countr\- dnring the kexdhuiou. The records of the diher- 
ent monthh meetings in the honndaries of Delaware Connty show that 
1 10 vonng men were disowned by the Society for bearing arms in the 
/Vmericaii cause. — Smith's History of Delaware Connts. p. 3,V)- 

Isaac W.arner. tdlonel of the Seventh i'.attalion of Philadelphia Connty 
^Militia, and Algernon Roberts, the 1 .ienten,-mt A 'olonel of the same bat- 
talit>n. who married Tacy, the daughter of Isaac W .-irner, in 17S1, :it ( )ld 
.Swedes' C'lnn'ch. in i 'hiladel]ihia, were among those so disowned. I he 
action in their cases is thus recorded in the Minutes of Radnor Meeting: 

"The cases of Isaac Warner, Algernon Roberts. Isaac Kite Junr. and 
Richard Thomas, coming under consideration, and il ajipeaiang they per- 
sist in the ]iractice of bearing arms, and it is the sence ami judgment of this 
Meeting that lhe\ have I'nblickly Denounced our Peaceable Princii)les, and 
cannot be Deemeil Members of our Religious Society whilst continuing 
in the pr.actice, but disown them until ihev through ('ircumspect Walking 
make this Meeting such Satisfaction as the .Xature of their case retiuires. 
which that thia)ngh the .\ssistance of Divine (Irace they ma\- be enabled 
to do is what we Desire." — Minutes of Radnor .Monthly Meeting, 10th 
5th month, 177''. ]i- -I56. 








m 




RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 221 

This is merel}' an illustration of the trials of those da\s, which will 
)'et furnish the historian and the no\ elist with rich material. 

Many are the descendants in Philadelphia and its vicinity of Isaac 
Warner and Algernon Roberts, hut few have returned to the membership 
their forefathers had in the Society of Friends. 

The quaint old stone farm-house of the John Stacker property strikes 
the observer at Radnor Station. Its occu])ant. Professor Albert H. Smyth, 
writes me as follows concerning it: 

'"Mv Dkar Sir: — It nun' interest you to know, if you piu"])osc sa\ing 
a word about the old house which I am now renting from Mrs. Stacker. th;it 
the nczi'cst part of the house was Ijuilt in 1792. The date is on a white 
stone sunk in the hip of the roof, just beneath the chimne\'. The older 
portion of the house was Iniilt about 1700. Traditionally it was a farm- 
house that was \-isited l)y Washington. It has, like all well established 
old houses, a familiar ghost — the ghost of a drover, who is said to have been 
murdered here, and who still at midnight wallcs the floors. It is of more 
l)ractical use to know that I have housed under this ancient roof a librar\- 
of nearl} h\'e thousand \olumes of Shakesperian scholarshij) and of earl\- 
luigiish literature." 

Tlie following notes sketch the bus\- and useful literar\- life of Profes- 
sor Smyth. His work has been commended l)y Curtis, Holmes, Lowell, 
Hale, and \\'hittier, John Fiske, President Foraker, of Corpus Christi Col- 
lege, Oxford, England, and Richard Garnett, of the Briti.sh Museum: 

■'Albert H. Smyth was born in Philadel]iln:i, June iSth, iSf^i,^: graduate 
of the Central High School (June, 1882): student at Johns Hopkins Uni- 
versity, 1885-S6; recei\'ed from the Johns Hopkins Universit\' the degree 
of Bachelor of Arts lioiiivls cniisa. 1887; Librarian of Johns Hopkins L^ni- 
versity, September, 1883 — May, 1886: in ]\fay. i88f). elected Professor of 
English literature in Philadelphia Central High School: in Jime. 1893, ap- 
pointed Professor of the English Language and Literature, and gi\-en 
charge of the new dei)artment of English. Member of the American 
Philosophical Society- : of the American Philological Society; of the Ameri 
can Historical Society; of the American Economic Society; of the .\meri- 
can Folk-Lore Society; of the Modern Language .Association of America; 
of the Pennsylwuiia Historical Societw Eoimder and editor of Sliakw!- 
pcriana from November, 1883. to October, 1884. This was the first maga- 
zine e\-er devoted to the study of a single author. It had sul)scribers and 
contributors, not onl\- in Europe and America, l)ul in India and Australia; 
it was highly conmiended b\- "Mattheu' Arnold and Oliver ^^'endell Holmes, 
as well as bv the Shakesperian (inild. .\uthor of ".Kmerican Literature,' 



222 RURAL rEXXSYLA'AXlA. 

Eldredge & Brotlier, 18S9: of 'Tlie Philadelphia Magazines and Their Con- 
trilnitors, 1741 — 1850,' Uoliert M. Lindsay. 1892. Autlior of 'I'a_\ard Tay- 
lor" in the 'American Alen of Letters' Scries. Boston. 189^. Author of 
a critical and historical introduction to the modern Circek translaticjn of 
'Hamlet.' At the invitation of Michel X. Damiralis. tlie translator. Pro- 
fessor Sm\th \isited Greece and sujjerintended the ])resentation of the 
play at Plialerum. He published \arions reviews of the tjreek translations 
of Shakespeare in the Pdrniin^iiani Pusl. London Times, and other English 
newspapers. Author of \arious articles and orii^inal in\estij^'ations in the 
magazines, and in the ])roceedings of learned societies. ' 

I add that Professor Smyth's History of Philadelphia Magazines honors 
lh;it ancient centre of literature, and more of such sons might regain her 
sce])tre. 

pAnNOR St.\tion. — Judge PLare and Mr. (iarrison ha\e places near 
this depot in a beautiful section. 

Weirwood. — Fayette P. Plumb purchased this ])ro])erty of about 
fourteen acres in the spring of A. D. i8(j'). and that \ear commenced the 
erection of his residence. It lies one mile north of Padnor Station. The 
mansion is constructed of P)ryn Mawr stone, and is of the .\e\v luigland 
style of architecture. The house is located on the edge of a chestnut 
grove, overlooking the adjacent \allev. and commanding an exquisite \ie\v 
of the surrounding countrw Messrs. Keen ^: Mead were the architects. 

Mr. Plumb is a nati\-e of Erie County. New ^'ork. and has been a nian- 
uf.acturcr of edge tools and railwax' su]iplics since i8(ic). Ills works are 
located in I'r.ankfiird. rinladel])hia. and this i^ the Lirgi^t manufactory of 
the kind in this count r\. ;uid jierhaps in ihe worM. 

Crestlixn. — On the l\ing of l'russi,-i Road is situateil the residence 
of William A. I'.-itton. Assistant tn President ThomsdU. of the IV'un- 
sylvania kailro.ad. Tin- place is a third uf ;i mile noiih of Radnor St.ation. 
It bears the n.ame Crestlinn. .Stone and shingle are condtined in the 
materials nf cou'^lructinn of this ]ile;t--;int mndern cottage. It lies on ;i 
hill, (uerlixiking the ('rerun \ alle\ . toward Conshohocken. ("ream \ alley 
joins White .M,u"-h \alle\-. The house was built nine years ago by h'urness, 
Evans iS: (d. The indcfatigalde and ])ainstaking local historian, my friend. 
William 1'.. Wilson, author of the History of h'.nnnanuel IqMscopal Church. 
Holmesbnrg. ga\e a sketch of Mr. Patton"s life in the rciiiisyli'aiiid Railroiul 
il/r;;',s- AViiv ( Xovcmber. 1895). which 1 will condense: 

"Mr. Patton was born at Union I'urnacc. lluntingdon County. Pcnn- 
S}'lvania. Ills f.ather. Ceorge W. P.-itlon. was interested in iron works, 
and was Postmaster of Altonna. and Associate fudge of Pl.air ('ountw Mr. 



RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 225 

I'alton passed lliruUL;"li the High School in Ahoona, and entered the I'enii- 
svh'ania Raih"oad's ser\'iee as a lad in A. 1). 1^(13, and Ijy xarious promo- 
titins was achaneed to his present post. He is Vice-President of the New 
\'ork. Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad. 

C'lemaria. — The picture represents the residence of .Mr. Moses 
Paxson, niercliant, Philadelphia. The name being- a combination of 
the names of his two children, a son and a daughter, Clement and Marion. 
l'"or this home Mr. Paxson purchased two acres of land November 18th, 
iSSS, of Mr. Lewis T. I'rooke, being a portion of the original grounds 
formerh' o\\ne<l b\ .\li-. John Stacker: ami i-ecently two acres in addition 
ha\e been added, as belonging to the original property. This ground is 
situated on an eminence 410 feet aliove tidewater, ox'erlooking a magnifi- 
cent stretch of country, known as a spur of the celebrated Chester Valley, 
'idle \-iew includes a hillside range i>artially cidtixated. and partly nati\e 
growth of woodland, which gives a pleasing wariety. This view extends 
o\-er and beyond the historical Gulf Gaji, Conshohocken, and the Schnvl- 
kill River, with a more distant range including Barren Hill, Chestnut Hill, 
Edge Hill Furnace, and covering quite a stretch of the North Peimsyl- 
vania Railroad; the whole view being most picturesque and beautiful. The 
improvements on the ground commenced the following spring, and con- 
tinued during 1889, 1890, and 1891 by the employment of landscape 
gardeners and laborers, under the special direction of the owner, in grading 
and perfecting the ground surface, and planting with about three thousand 
of the most l^eautiful plants, shrubbery, fruit and ornamental trees that 
could be had from many sections of the globe. 

These grounds are situated on the King of Prussia Road, a very short 
distance north of Radnor Station, and as you enter you are impressed with 
the uni(|ue a])])earance of the dwelling, which is of modern (A)lonial design, 
built of handsome, rich, lively gray stone, largely impregnated with mica, 
from the c|uarries at Ridley Park, in the same County of Delaware, the 
Iniilder being Mr. Josejih Dyson: architects, Mr. E. W. Thorn and Mr. P.. 
Frank Ei\ezev. who are especially noted for artistic work. The interior 
.arrangements are specially unique, being an original design of Mrs. Pax- 
son, and most couqilete in every detail, with a view to convenience and com- 
fort. The material for inside woodwork is of many kinds of choice hard- 
wood, elaborately finished in the natural color, one of the particular featiu'es 
in material is that of fine plate and choicely colored glass windows: one of 
these being truly artistic, representing a night scene in which with a classic 
lamp a Greek slave is passing through a tiled and colunmed hall, escorting 
the guests to their chambers, being designed expressly for its position by 



226 RURAL PEXXSyU'AXIA. 

Mr. Charles Balderston. arcliitcct. and produced liy Mr. George MacLean. 
artist, ])oth of mucli renown. In the construction of the building; over 
twentv-two thousand ])ounds of mineral wool was used under floors and 
throughout openings, as a cold, heat, hre, and \'ermin pre\enti\e. and in 
consequence this dwelling is. no doubt, the warmest in winter and coolest 
in summer of any in this section of the country. The dwelling" is 
heated in a most economical and satisfactory manner by means of the 
Perfection Hot Water S\stem. \\ ater in al)undance, and of an exceptional 
quality is had from an artesian well, driven through solid rock to a depth 
of one hundred and tift\' feet, and is thrown into a t;mk into the u])i)er por- 
tion of the building by an Evans gasoline gas engine, run liy the same gas 
as that generated for illuminating purposes. Hot antl cold water is sup- 
]ilied throughout the house, also to the stable and green-house, as well, and 
a sup]il_\- of cold water to a picturcs(|ue fountain. 

In connection with other imiirovements, there is a handsome stone 
carriage house and stable, built of the same stone as the dwelling, and lined 
throughout with hard wood, natural wood linish. and green-house of the 
same stone, with in>n fr;inie co\cring, both lighted by electric light, and the 
latter heated h\ the most acceptable water system, the same as that of 
dwelling, which has proved most satisfactory in every jiarticular. 

The late Lewis T. Brooke, a resident here, son of Mark Uriinke. was 
long and fa\orabl\- known along the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad as 
an agent in the sale of real estate. His son, (ieorge C. Pirooke, continues 
the business, co\-ering the saiue section. 

Dr. Brooke has a fine residence here on a be.nutiful site. See notice of 
the Fletcher Farm in this volume about his family. 

The old farm-house of Mark Brooke, not far from Radnor Station, is 
now owned and occujiied b\' a son of T^ucretia Mutt. \ ])icture of Lucretia 
Mott's home on the \'ork Road, not far from St. I';ud's Church. Chelten- 
ham, is given in my \olunie. The \nv]< Road, Old ;nid Xew. b^ox Chase, and 
Ilustleton, ]■). too; and some .'iccounl of the Mott famil\ m.'iv lie found on 
pp. 159. j()0. Mark Brooke and his good wife were devoted members of 
.St. na\'i<rs parish, and the author of these lines recalls with pleasure ex- 
periencing their hospitality. In the davs when his sjiecial friend, Re\'. 
Thomas G. Cleiuson was Rector, he used to meet these friends at the old 
clun-ch. 

W'ooniu'RNE. — Robert Willis M.artin ga\e the above name to his 
countr\-se;it, after the ancestr.il i)lace at Seaford, Sussex County. Dela- 
ware. The Delaware jilace traces back in title to the F>uke of ^^1rk. after- 
ward James the Second, the date being .\. D, i'iX4. Mr. Martin j)urchased 



RURAL PEXXSYWANIA. 229 

aliout fifteen acres of tlie Lewis T. lirooke estate in A. I). i.S^j, and 
erected a large castellated mansion of locril s^ray stone, from designs of 
Hazlehurst & Hnckel. Some three and a half acres of wood, intersected 
1)_\- the old (inlf Creek, which runs for a (|uarter of a mile through the 
])ro])crtv, and feeds a dam which supijhes waterworks, form useful and orna- 
mental additions to the landscajje. An ainmdance of shruhs and tiowers 
make the place noted for its \'aried beautx' through the neighborhood. 
Mr. Martin is a native of Philadelphia, and was etlucated at Caleb J. Hal- 
lowell's Select High School, at Tenth and Arch Streets, and the l-"riends' 
School at the southwest corner of Fifteenth and Race Streets, and at Lehigh 
University. He is the senior member of the firm of L. Martin & Co., the 
largest manufacturers of lamp-black in the world. The firm continues the 
name of his father, who started in 1S43. and died in 1886. Luther Martin, 
Jr., and Rcjbert Wilson Martin, his two sons, succeed him in l)usiness. 
Robert W illis Martin has written nnich for papers and perit^idicals on 
scientilic subjects. Mrs. Laura E. Martin is a descendant on the maternal 
side of General Anthony Wayne. She was the daughter of Charles E. 
Jordan, of Philadelphia. Her great nnisical skill on the ]iiano, seconded 
by that of her family, gives ])leasure to her household and friends, 
lion, lulward Livingston Martin, ami 1 )r. Hugh Martin, of Seaford, 
Delaware, were uncles of Robert Willis Martin. E. L. Martin represented 
Delaware in Congress. His parents were Cajjtain Hugh and Soi)liia C". 
Willis ]\Iartin. See Scharf's History of Delaware, \'ol. 11, p. 131 J. .V 
notice of Luther Martin, the father of Robert Willis Martin, also ajjpears 
in the Delaware History. 

Wkltx'retex. — This Dutcli name, taken from an African settlement of 
Ibillanders. means "Peace with the wui-ld." The name was gi\-en in Africa 
by reason of beautiful surroundings: and certainly is applicable here among 
these fine rolling hills and charming views. The stone and frame mansion 
was erected by Henry Geisse for his own residence some twelve or thirteen 
vears since. Fifteen acres here in this countr\--place were a ])art of the 
farm of John Stacker, which belonged in A. 1). 175.1. t" Ann llazell. It 
then comprised eight_\-seven acres, l^lwartl .\. Schmidt Ijought the 
I)ro])erty of Mr. Geisse in 1891. aiid occupies it as a summer home. He is 
a Philadeli)hian by birth, and is engaged in the brewing business in that citv. 
RocKLVNXE. — The residence of Theodore Delujn Rand, Esc|., with the 
aljove name, lies on a pleasant eminence near Radnor Station, connnanding 
an extended view, including the English-looking tow-er of St. Martin's stone 
church, an<l covering the coimtry from Jenkintown to Newtown Square 
and PierwNii. The beautiful lawn contru'ns a large \-ariet\' of trees and 



230 RURAL PENNSVLl'ANIA. 

slirubs. The liouse was erected in A. D. 187^1 for Mr. Kami, from desip^ns 
of Samuel Sloan, the land haxini;- lieen limi^ht from John Stacker, being 
a part of his farm. Mr. Rand was the tirst citizen who built a country-seat 
here, thougii W. W. Montgomery had purchased adjoining land, where 
his house arose shortl\ after, commanding a beautifid view of Cream \'alley. 
The liouse of Wr. Rand is of frame, but in the rear is a stone building, con- 
taining a large collection of rocks and minerals of the neighborhood of I'hil- 
adelphia. This gentleman is a native of I'hiladcljihia, but of Xcw England 
stock, where tlie origin of the famil}- dates back to the seventeenth century. 
He was admitted to the Bar in 1H58. and has since practiced his jirofession. 
but has de\'oted his leisure time to the study of mineralogy and geolog\-, 
on which subjects he has written a number of papers for publication. 

Idle Rectory of St. Martin's Church is on Belrose Lane. The jirettv 
building is constructed of stone and wood, from designs of T. Mellon 
Rogers, of Devon. The cheerfully colored woodwork and the varied angles 
of the house, and the cozy yard make a comfortable nest for a country 
rector. ' ^ 1 

George W. Righter has a pretty stone mansion opposite. 

\y. W. Montgomery's residence, called Lainshaw, is on a hill, which 
commands a view along the \-alle_\- for man}' miles. 

James W. Paul, Jr.. occupies a house situated on Hare's Lane. Its 
position commands an extensive and remarkably fmc view. Mr. Raul is 
a member of the l)anking firm of Drexel & Co. 

"Alderbrook."- — This jileasant country-seat, in Lower Merion Town- 
ship, is the home of Howard B. French, of Philadelphia. It is his summer 
residence. The place lies between Radnor Station, on the 1 'ennsyKrniia 
Railroad, and the King of Prussia, on the Chester X'allcy branch of the 
Reading Railroad. A twcnt\'-live acre tract, conijirising this ])ro])crt\', 
formerly belonged to Jonathan Rol)erts. who was a L'nited States Senator 
from i'cnnsN'K'ania. and Collector of the I'ort of Philadelphia vuider I'resi- 
(lent Tyler. It was then a part of a large farm. .Mr. Roberts's daughter, 
S;u"ah. married Sanuiel Tyson. ;nid became possessor of the pro[)crtv. 

Mrs. C'oflin Colket purchased the iiresent tract in .\. IX iSSf). ;ind re- 
built the f)ld farm-house, midcr the designs of Architect Robert ( '<. Ken- 
nedy. Mrs. Colket was the mother of Mrs. lioward 11. I-'rench. The place 
has been very much im])roved and l)eautifie(l during the jiresent owner- 
ship. .\bout seventeen acres are in the lawn, and one acre in the lake — the 
water being collecterl from .Mflcrbrook Creek; the alders on its banks having 
])r()l);dily suggested the original ;ii)]K'lIalion. The g.arden claims an acre: 
and six acres of well-lrinuned woodland ru'c a striking feature of this rustic 



RURAL rBXXS)'LI\l.\l.l. 233 

retreat. From the frnni pDi-cli nf the liouse. ;i \ iew wliicli is unsurpassed 
in this section of tlie country meets the \ision. Directly in front is Ihe 
beautiful Chester Valley, with its well-tilled farms; to the left, historical 
X'allev Forg'c: and beyond the Schuylkill, ran<^e after range of hills and 
niDuntains can be seen for a di--tance of nearl\- forty miles. 

Howard L>. l'"rench is the son of Samuel H. French, who was connected 
with the firm of French, Ricliards & Co., of I'hiladelphia, in the wholesale 
paint and drug business, organized in A. I). I1S44, which was sticceeded in 
1882 by Samuel II. I''rencli iS: Co. He was born in Salem, ( )hio, but has 
spent his life mainly in Philadelphia. He was educated at the Friends' 
Central School, Fifteenth and Race Streets, Philadelphia, and afterward 
graduated from tlie Philadel])hia College of Pharmacy. Mr. French is now 
tlie senior member of the tirm i)f Sanuiel H. I^rench & Co. 

The ancestor cjf the French famil\- in this coimtry was Thomas French, 
who came from Northamptonshire, Fngland. to lliudington, X. J., in 1680. 
and was one of the proprietors of West Xew Jersey. He was a Friend, and 
the family has continued its connection with that religious sect down to the 
])rcsent generation. The family Pible, lirought by Thomas French to 
.\merica in 1680, and those belonging to each succeeding generation, ex- 
ce])ting the second (Charles I'^rench), also the quaint wills, old deeds, and 
mrmy records are in possession of the famil\-. 

St. D.win's. — This most beautiful sul)iu-l). named from old St. David's 
Church, Radnor, is truly rustic, unmarred by the sights and noises that ever 
bring their troubles into city life. Charles Stewart has a remarkably fine 
place here. The rolling hills ,'ifford pleasant sites on everv side. 

Dr. (ieorge L. S. Jameson's attractive home is called \Ti,i,.\ Floren'Z.\. 

Mrs. Jameson and Mrs. (iriffiths. her mother, who was the daughter of 
the late Thomas Thompson, of Philadelphi.'i, had s])ent some time in the 
beautiful Italian city of Florence, and felt deepl\ interested in it; this name 
commemorates the feeling. 

I'^-lizaljetli Piarrett Browning, in her poem, "Casa (iuidi Windows," 

wrote: 

"Tliis sliore 
Of (iiililiM .Vrno as it slioots away 
Tlirntigli Florence'.'; licart I>encatli lu-r liridgcs fuur." 

The former capital of Italy, in its beautiful valley, among its woods, 
with its surrounding Apennine Mountains, and its treasures of art, and its 
numerous and ancient churches, well deserves a memento in this new land. 
The place that bears its name contains a pleasant lawn, bordered b\' a hedge 
rmming along the Lancaster Pike: and stone gate-posts introduce the 



234 



Rl 'RAL PIIXXSYLWIXIA. 



ilri\o\va\-. wliilc a ]>r(.'lty staMc of arcliilcctural st\'le is in the roar. 'I'lic 
liouse is slu'ltcrcil l)y a pia/za. and the hall is ample, with a stair\\a\' of ex- 
cellent \vo(Klwoi-k. and a lireplaee that looks cozy. A hay-window in the 
hall makes it a ])leasant room for sinmner and winter nse. The wide douhle 
|)iitch door has a hos]iital>le lool<, and reminds one of those in the old (jer- 
mantown houses. The material of the d\\ellin<;- is stone and wood. Three 
little dant;hters enliven the household, and are, as the i_'8th I'salni expresses 
it. "Like olive plants round ahout thy tahle." Dr. Jameson was l)orn in 
Kichmonij. in the I'nnince of Xew llrmiswick, Canada, .-md is of Scotch 
descent. 

W \i.M.\RTiioN. — This i)lace of 
C'h.irles S. Walton lies on St. David's 
l\oad, near the L;uicaster I'ike. In .\. 
D. 1S92 the present owner purchased 
this i>roperty of Wendell iK: Smith dm"- 
iuii' the construction of the house 
which was designed hy Horace Trum- 
bauer. .\t first the present resident 
was a summer inhabitant, but was so 
alhn-ed by the country attractions in 
f;miil\ life that he now s]iends the vear 
here. The high ])osition of the dwell- 
ing aOords a grand xicw. The house 
is of wood and stone combined, of 
])le;isiug arcliitectural design. An ar- 
chitectural stone stable is on the 
rnuple groimds. Air. Walton was born 
in 1 'hiladelphia, and was graduated 
at the I 'ni\ersit \' of Peiuis\l\;iuia. 
lie is a member of the firm of 
England iv llryan, wholes;de leather 
mercliants, and he is a Director of the C"onsolidalion Xational I'.ank 
of riiiladelphia. 

( )sr.(iK\ MofSK. — The residence occupied by r.eni;nnin Thomiison, 
with a n;ime recalling his paternal ancestrv, is on the north siile of .Midland 
.\\emie, between IV'uibroke ;ind Aberdeen A\enues. It was built by Wen- 
dell i\: Smith in A. 1). 1890. and .Mr. Thom|)son has li\ed here since iSyj. 
He is a member of the Sons of the .\merican I\e\olution. through descent 
from Rev. l'".than ( )sborn. of ("omiccticut , who left D.artmouth College to 
ser\e under W'ashingtou, ;md of the Xew hjigland Society of I'emisylvania, 




Rksidence of C. S. Wai.idn, St. Daviu's, I'a. 




Al.llEKl;Ul:l)K, kKblDENCii Ol' lliiWAKli IJ. IkENLII. 



Page 230. 




Lake at ALiiEKnuouK. 



fU'RAi. rr.xxsvLr.ixi.-L 



^i7 



through descent from r.enjainin 'l"hoini)S(m the ist. who came to this 
counto- in the third em1)arkalion, and settled in lioston. and was one of 
the founders of Harvard t olk-e. He is huried in the old Roxhury l.urial- 
n-round. at the head of \\'ashint;ton Street, Boston, the cemetery where 
[ohn h'.liot. the Apostle to tlie In- 




fe^ptipt'Sa^ 



S^^' 



'-^-e£Si^ 



OsiiciRN House, Residence of Benjamin TiinMrsoN. 



dians, is interred in the "ministers 
tomb," and the Lawrence and 
Adams families are buried. Mr. 
Thompson is engaged in mercan- 
tile business in Philadeliihia and 
New York; is the head of the lirni 
of E. O. Thompson & Sons, and is 
a member of the Manufacturers' 
Club, and the Boartl of Trade. 
Mrs. Thompson, whose maiden 
n:ime wms Anna L. Mears. is a 
member of the Daughters of the 
American Revolution, through de- 
scent from Captain Jolm Mears, 
of Colonel Butler's Pennsylvania 
Fourth Infantry. 

Two parsons and a student will now avail themselves of the oiler of a 
ride through this delightful region: and while the lively horses trot along 
the scribbler will dri\e his busy pencil. 

St. David's toll-gate is passed in going toward Philadelphia, and we 
cross Radnor Road at right angles. A pretty grove of trees is intersected 
by the Lancaster Pike. 

Dr. Da Costa's house, designed by Pealxxly & Stearns, of Boston, is 
on an eminence, with an extended view of St. David's and r.r\ n Mawr as 
one of its attractions. A grove of trees is round the large stone mansion, 
and hedges bound the land, and a line spring-house recalls old customs, 
while a \-ery striking stone lodge is a ]ileasant feature. 

The house of James Paul. .Sr.. is a little above the highway. It is of 
stone, shingle, and slate. Mr. Paul is the father of the late Mrs. William 
Waldorf Astor. 

The Ewing place, near our road, is called Woodstock. It has been 
owned 1)\- the Ewings and Hunters for generations. Mrs. T-lwing's m.aiden 
name was Hunter. 



238 RURAL PEXXSVLrAXIA. 

We now approach the 

Barclay Farm. — This name was t;i\en lo kee]) in nienuirv l!arcla\ 
Mchaililen, a son of George H. Mch'adden, tlie owner of tlie ])ropert\'. 1 he 
large stone house was an inn in Ixevohitionary times, where Washington 
and Lafayette sle])t as hotel guests. The deeds, containing permission to 
luuit hawks and to iish. which 1 ha\e seen, show that .\ubrey Harr\- and 
wife sold this pr(ipert\' tn Alich.ael Sladleman in A. 1). ]/()(). In iJjT) 
John Cirirtith and wife sold it to Isaac Miles. In 1778 Isaac Miles sold 
to William Roberts and Sarah Tavers. For fifty years it was in the familv 
of .\nderson Kirk. George II. McFadden bought the farm uf two lunidred 
acres an<l the house from Anderson Kirk abmU fi\e years ago, and reno- 
vated the building in excellent taste, keei)ing up the antique flavor. An 
old corner fire]dace is in each of the front rooms. The older part of the 
house was erected, ])erhaps, about 17(19, a stone in the newer ])art is marked 
A. D. 1772. The dining-room is in the old part, and the wood rafters, and 
wooden window-casings of great deiitli, and old Delft Dutch tiles, with pic- 
tured Scri|)ture scenes, make a \er\' striking and ]MCttires(|ue apartment. 

Rew Dr. I'liilip 1 )oil(lridge savs, in a letter, after nientioning the in- 
struction of "])ious parents," "I well remend)er that my mother taught me 
the historv of the (^Id and Xew Testaments liefore I cmdd read, li\' the 
assistance of some blue DiUch tiles in the chinmey-place ol the room where 
we connnonU- sat: and the wise and jiious reilections she made u]ion these 
stories were the means of enforcing such good imi)ressions on my heart as 
never afterward wore out." — Rev. James E. I5oyd's Memoir of Doddridge, 

I'P- M- 15- 

Tin; Hospital of tul Good Shepherd. — fn SejUember. A. D. 1873, 
l"isho|) Stevens indorsed the plan of the Rector and N'estry of the Church 
of the Good Slie])herd, Radnor, for "establishing a Cottage Mos])ital for the 
sick or afflicted cliildi"en in this Diocese," catling it "a so nnich needed and 
Christian charitw" It was tirst desired to secure room for twelve patients. 
Ovei" six hundred dollars were raised by "Ladies" Festix'als at White M.all 
rmd Radnor." The first annual ix-port staleil thai St. Lid<e's May should 
be the date of the annual meeting, which fell that year on the Lord's Day. 
IJishop Howe, of Central PennsyKania, ]ireaclied from St, Luke. 9. -: "He 
sent them to ])reach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." (jeorge 
M. Conarroe, Esq., was Chairman of the meeting of contributors. 

'idle origin of the 1 los]iit;d was a sermon of the Ui'ctor. on Ad\ent Sun- 
day, .\. D. 1S72, the tirst A(l\ent Sunday in the new church. 'Die X'estry 
leased from their "good friends and neighbors, the 'i'ruslees of \'illa Nova 
College," the i)ro])erly now used by the llos])ital. with "ten acres of land. 



50 

M 

5 



Si O 
O r 
Z - 



O 

o 




RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 241 

])artl\' L;i"ass and partK' forest." The Hospital ujjened St. Barnal)as Day, 
June I ith, i<^74. After serxice in tlie church Dr. Frost and Bishop Stevens 
made addresses, and tlie congregation went to the Hospital, where "prayers 
and benediction" fittingly introduced a noble Christian work. A farm- 
house and a modern dwelling adjoining, shaded by trees, formed a comforta- 
ble home for the sick, while a spring-house and grove and a stream were 
pleasant features. Some ])itial)le town children felt the blessing of the new 
Christian home. The crowded alley was e.xchanged for the sunny meadow, 
and the Lord Jesus said, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least 
of these, m\ brethren, _\e have done it unto me." The Matron was com- 
mended. The President, Mrs. R. W. Learning, closes her report thus: 
"Near nineteen lumdred _\-ears ago, 'the Good Shepherd,' whose name it 
bears, said, 'Suffer little children to come unto me,' and if you will persevere 
in \ oiu" good work your hospital may continue to repeat these loving words 
of the 'Master.' " 

In the report of iSgf) it is stated that, in addition to sick children, 
those uncared for by ]iarents may be received, and adults might receive care 
if room allowed. Bishop Whitaker is now Presiilent, and Rev. .\rthur B. 
Conger, Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Warden and Chap- 
lain. Harry F. West still acts as Secretary and Treasurer. Mrs. C. F. 
Shoener is President of the Ladies' Co-Operative Committee. Mrs. A. B. 
Conger (died Noveml)er loth, 1896), and Miss Emily Hinds Thomas, Vice- 
Presidents; Mrs. C. W. Cushman (Rosemont), Secretary, and Mrs. Arthur 
\'an Harlingen, Treasurer. Dr. Walter Chrystie is Attending Physician, 
,uid the Medical Board embraces several others. The contributors noted 
with sorrow Mrs. Conger's death, as she had ser\-ed as a Vice-President for 
thirteen years. 

The average number of children treated has risen to over twenty-five, 
and more apply. Miss Fry has proved "a faithful trained nurse." Miss 
Arthur had conducted a school in the sun-parlor in winter. Dr. Chrystie 
receives due thanks. Thanksgiving and Christmas brought joy. Needle- 
work Guilds and Sewing Societies had aided the good work. The |)rf)])erty 
now belongs to the Institution. 

Wavnk. — Ashmead gives a sketch oi the history of this new an<l thriv- 
ing town in the History of Delaware County. In 1880 George \V. Childs 
and A. J. Drexel bought about 600 acres here, 300 being from J. Henry 
.\skin"s Louella Farm. The Louella Mansion and the Bellevue have drawn 
manv hither in summer. .\ village arose. Wendell & Smith were largely 
its builders. Ithan Creek furnished water. The turnpike, mider a corpora- 
lion, with A. J. Cassatt at its head, was ini])ro\ed. St. David's sprang into 



242 RURAL PENNSYLW-iNIA. 

life. Eagle Station, also on the tract, is now Strafford. A large hall and 
chnrches have arisen at Wayne. 

The hrief of title of the W a\ nc Estate in Radnor Townsliii). pnrchased 
1)y Anthony J. Drexel, printed for Eewis H. Redner. in 1886, is a forniitlahle 
panaphlet. or paper-ljound liook of 202 pages, octavo, embellished with nine 
l)lans. o\er which a lawyer or a real estate man might delight. Three tracts 
are described, l^vo stones and a hickor\- tree ligure in the boundaries. 
The Edward S. Bowen Farm runs back to Penn for its title. The Cleaver, 
Lnkens. liarber. Cleorge, .\lexander Brooke, and Roberts farms follow, and 
lots of J. Henry Askin at Louella. The Richard I'ellz. McCrea, r.rown. 
and Ramsey, and Jones farms succeed in due order. Louella was named 
from two daughters of Mr. Askin, Louisa and Ella (Corinne). l''lla be- 
came Mrs. Charles E. Hopkins. Her death is noted in the i'rief of Title. 
The wife of Mr. Askin bore the name Louisa, and a third (l;inghler was 
Mary Elizabeth. There was originalK' a Louella Station. The name of 
John .\skin also appears in regard to the Louella building lots. 

On pages 197, iq8, of the pamphlet, the roads on I'lan No. 1, which 
intersected the three tracts "describetl at the head of tlii> brief." are de- 
scribed. "Old Lancaster, or Conestoga Road, was opened before .\. 1). 
I75('). The Phila(lel])hia and Lancaster 'rurn|)ike Road. 50 feet wide." 
dates back to 1792-93. I add that this was the hrst lurn])ike built in the 
L^nited States. \\'a\ne .\\enue was lirst called ^\'ayne Road, and was 
thirty-three feet wide, "leading from a point on the Philadel])hia and Lan 
caster Turnpike Road. op])osite AX'ayne I^yceimi Hall.' to the Old Lan- 
caster Road, opened under a decree of the Court of Onarter Sessions, of 
Delaware County, bf October 17th, .\. D. 1808: and "Radnor Street, or 
Road,' thirty-three feet wide, under decree of Court, Januar\- iTjth, i8n() 
'The Church l\oad," of the same width, bounded "the Roberts and McCi"ea 
f;u'ms on the southeast ])ri(ir to 18(13.' "The Eagle Road, or the road from 
Siterx'ille to Brooke's Mill.' being thirt\-tliree feet wide, bounded 'the 
Ramsev farm on the northwest jirioi- to 1839.' C'eiUennial \\enue was 
ordered legalb in 1870. \ |);irt of Radnor Street Ro.-nl was \ac;ited. Aber- 
deen .\\enue w;is formerlx' M.ary \\enue. .and receixed the order for o])en- 
ing in 1880. AX'ayne Road or .\\enue' was decreed in 1881. the width to 
be fifty feet. .\ part of \\'ayne .\\enue laid out in 1808 was then vacated." 

Tlic Ladies' Li'cry Salurihiy. of July 20lh. i8()3, contained an illustrated 
article on W'axne. from which we (|note: 

"On high and wa\'\' land, beset by hills, now shaded by slia]icly trees 
and verdure-clad. Wayne presents a picture which may well delight and 
sciothe the senses bv da\' or b\' night. The church s[)ires. ])eaked roofs, 






> 




RURAL PENNSVLJ'ANIA. 245 

gables, and turrets glinting in the sunlight hreak thnnigh the green sea 
of leaves, and tirst impress the visitor, hut he knows nothing of the place 
until he rides over its smooth macadam roatls and feasts his eyes upon the 
])ictures of domestic charm and elegance. The sewage system is of 
almost unexampled efticiency. In the absence of pumps and of cum- 
brous tanks on house-tops, the visitor will learn of another source of 
justifiable pride in this suburban town — a water works of great capacity 
supplying the purest jjrodiict of the springs. \Vayne has her own elec- 
tric plant — the arc lights flash through the tall trees, and cast a myriad of 
(lancing shadows o\er lawn and thoroughfare, and hundreds of wimlows 
emit the flashing rays through plate and colored glass, discovering scenes of 
gayety and sweet repose within. 

"The stor)' of Wayne's progress can be brieflx' told. It was founded 
by the late Mr. George \\'. Childs, who, in conjunction with the late Mr. 
Anthon\- J. Drexel, have been the untiring promoters of every permanent 
de\elopment of the place, and who have so guided and directed ever)- steji 
toward making \\'a\ne the model town it is, as to ha\'e stamped their 
names indelibly upon its future. Some one has spoken elocpiently of the 
glory that comes to human kind from the building of a town. As that mav 
depend upon the success or failure of the town, the measure of 
satisfaction that comes from the founding of W'avne must, indeeil, 
be great. Be that as it may, the interest of Messrs. Childs and 
Drexel in this beautiful settlement, only a half-hour's ride from 
the Broad Street Station, has ne\-er fallere<l. Innnediately upon the ])ur- 
chase of the Askin jjroperty of 600 acres the \\'a\ne Instate set to work, 
under their direction; and so acti\e has it been, latterl\- under the manage- 
ment of Mr. Frank Smith, that the unimpro\-ed fields of nine years ago are 
now cut up by smooth and shaded roads, dotted with hundreds of houses, 
and kept active by a population of nearly 3.500." 

There is a handsome public school named in the article. Among the 
dwellers of Wayne we read an account of "Mrs. James H. Camiibell, who 
lakes her ])lace in ;i high rank as a poetess. She inherited her literarv <[ual- 
ities from her learned father. Judge Lewis, who was well known throughout 
PennsyKania. Mrs. Campliell maintained with grace and dignity the posi 
lion of the L'nited States, in the foreign courts, with her husb;ind, the late 
Judge James H. Campbell, who was appointed Minister in the Scrmdi- 
navian countries under .\braham I^incoln's Administration; Mrs. 
( leorge I\andol]jh Stocker; Miss .\nna Matlack. whose beautiful home back 
of St. Daxid's has its deed from \\ illiam I'enn. Mrs. \\ illiam lienrv Sa\en. 
whose famib' still hold the title of Count. Mrs. lohn l!elangee Cox, iicc 



246 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

McHcnrv, whose hciic\-nlent works liave carried success tlirough a life- 
time. It is tlirmii^ii Ikt hard work tliat the Imhan School for the educa- 
tion of i)oys and sjjirls has been established in I'hiladeliiliia. Mrs. Tlionias 
K. Conrad is the widow of Rev. Thomas K. Conrad, whose memorial church. 
St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal, stands as a most beautiful example of love 
and memory of son to parents. Mr. George B. Mifflin is a descendant of 
one of I'ennsx Kania's earl\- Governors. Mr. R. Hare-Powel. both of 
whose names are well known in Philadeli)hia"s annals, and honored and re- 
spected, also Fred. Fraley Plallowell, well worthy to step in his grand- 
father's footsteps. Colonel Thomas Y. b'ield. United States Xavy: widow 
of the late General Francis Darr, Cnited States Ami}-; Murray Rush, 
H. P>. Powel, Geo. Randolph Stocker, Henry Pleasants, Joseph I. Uoran, 
Rev. Dr. Miel. There is a grand old man one often sees walking on the 
a\-enues of Wayne with cane in hand, in sunnner. clad in white Hannels. .\ 
tine specimen of a well-])reser\-ed, old-time gentleman with the courtesies 
of the last generation. This is John H. Longstreth, a representatixe of one 
of the early English Quaker families, who settled Philadelphia, and the 
father of the beautiful Mrs. Jasper Richardson, of England." 

To these notes 1 add that the part of the Wayne Estate called "The 
Ilills" covers fifty acres of high land, overlooking the town and adjacent 
country, and affording fine sites for Iniilding with an abimdancc of heallh- 
ful air and sunshine. 

North \\'.\ine. — J. Elliott Shaw's residence is a Colonial cottage in 
Xorth Wayne, built of wood and stone, on a part of the original tract owned 
b^• J. Ilcur\- .\skin. The hi>usc was built I)y Mr. 1 lcnr\- l'. Xell, from wlium 
Mr. Shaw purchased it in A. D. 1893, and made extensive additions and 
alterations, under the ]>lans of his neighbor, the architect, J. \\'. Shaw. 
Since that time Mr. J. I'.lliott Shaw has resided here. The original spring 
of the old farm is on this jilace, and the owner has lovingh' jireserved it. ;uid 
laid the bottom of the stream with stone, and ]nit the ancient stone s]:)ring- 
house in a state of ]M-cser\ation. The Swedish traveler and botanist. Rev. 
Professor Peter Kahn. in the cirly days of tliis countr\-, mentions the sjiring- 
houses as one of the ]ileasantest features of our landscape. (See my Early 
Clergy, ]ip. 6t, (12. and Mistory of Germantown about this learned for- 
eigner.) P>ut they are now ]>assing away, .Mr. Shaw was born in P.uck- 
ingham. lincks County, PennsyUania. and mo\-ed to Xorristown in 1857, 
and lived there until 1880, whence he removed to T^hiladclphi.a, and. in i8()j 
to Wavnc. TTc was lured here by a short sojourn during a suiumer in 
this ]ilcasant suburl). 

Reginald I.. Hart's house was l)uilt in i88(). on pl;ms made b\- Price 



9 

3 

M 

r 

C/l 




RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 



249 




Residence of Reginald L. Hart. 



lli'dlhcrs, anil iiKidit'icil to meet his own ideas. He was horn in I'iiiladch 
phia, i'a., No\'enil)er 24th, 1S5S, and attended school at the Jqjiscopal 
Academy, and com- 
pleted his education 
at the University of 
Pennsylvania in the 
Class of 1879. He is a 
memher of the firm of 
Archil lald C. lla\nes 
iK; Co., general agents 
for New York, Phila- 
delphia, and l)rookl_\ii 
of the Union Central 
Life Insurance Com- 
l^any, of Cincinnati. 
I lis house is located 
at the corner of Beech 
Tree Lane and Rad- 
nor Road. 

Re\-. William W. lleherton has resided for six }-ears on Chestnut Lane, 
North Wayne. He is Treasurer and Recording Secretary of the Presby- 
terian Board of Ministerial Relief. Jle is the son of the late Rev. Alexander 
Hei)erton, of Philadelphia. 

Bon Air. — At the corner of Chestnut Lane and Eagle Road is situated 
the pleasant abode of Captain John W. Morrison. The high position over- 
looks the town of Wayne, and reaches into the "good air," which the name 
im])lies, and which is abundant in this beautiful rural region. The house 
was built by the Wayne Estate, and purchased by Willi;iin Whitnev, who 
made adtlitions, and soUl the property to Captain Morrison in A. D. 189J. 
The woods above the house, and the high location combine to make a ])rett\' 
l)icture, and the interior of the dwelling is coz)- and attracti\-e. Ca]itain 
Morrison is a native of Philadelphia, where he was educated, I)ut spent some 
years in Pittsl)urg. lie was Captain in the Round-Head, or looth Regi- 
ment of Pennsylvania \'olunteers. in the Southern War. which was com- 
posed of Western Pennsyl\ani;ins, .and was aide-de-camp on the st.al'f of 
General James .\. Beaver, lie was elected State Treasurer in 1891. ;md 
served two years, having been a meml)er of the Plouse of Representatives 
in the Legislature from Pittsburg for two terms prexiously. where he was 
lournal and Chief Clerk. He is now nejiuty Superintendent of Banking. 

.\t the junction of luigie Road and Wa\ne A\enue. an eas\- seven 



250 RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 

minutes' walk l<i ihc north from Wayne Station, is ;i cliarmint;- i)lace, 
"Brent\\(ii}|i," belonging- to 'Jhonias Leaming. The house is in the 
Colonial stvle, anil stands haek on a walleil terrace, surrounded hy unusu- 
ally large beech and oak trees. It was built by Cope & Stewardson in 
1888, and is very complete and comfortable, although quite unpretentious. 
This shady spot is really a corner of the e.\tensi\e wooded ridge which en- 
closes the Chester \'allcy to the south, and is part of a larger tract of laud 
bought by Mr. Learning's father about Iweut}- years ago. .\cross the 
corner of the place runs a picturesque little stream — the head-water of the 
famed Culph Creek — which adds nuich to the cool and peaceful eli'ect pro- 
duced by Brentwood in sununer; indeed, few country seats have so much to 
charm the eye, within so comparatixely small a sjiace. Here the owner 
spends part of each year, when not aliroad. 

South Wavn'e. — W'.wne rRE.SBVTERi.\i\ Ciii'kcii. — A pamphlet gives 
the history of this parish, and the sermon preached at the dedication of the 
church. A service was held in \\'ayne Hall "on Sabb;ith morning, June 5th, 
1870." On the 19th of the same month a Sunday-school began with ti\e chil 
(Iren. On the 21st a meeting occurred at ihe hall i)reparatory to the organi- 
zation of a church. Presb\'tery appointed as Conuuissioners Re\'. Dr. B. B. 
Hotchkin, Professor Lorenzo W'estcott. Rev. T. J. .\iken, and Ruling Elders 
James Moore and Thom;is .\iken, who met in the llall on the _'4th of June, 
A. D. 1870, and organized the clun-ch, with nine members, "installing 
Howell h'vans as the Ruling JLlder." Rew Samuel 1". Linn was instrdled 
pastor, Julv 3th, 1870. Rev. Dr. J. W. Dale was Moderator. Re\ . Dr. 
R. H. .\llen preached from l'".])h. 4:11. Rev. Professor Lorenzo West- 
oott "ilelivered the charge to the pastor." ;ind Re\. li. P.. Hotchkin, D. D.. 
"delivered the charge to tlie peo])le." and ;i ]n";iyer was ollerecl by Re\. John 
Chambers. Services were held in llie ll;dl until the elun'ch building was 
fmished. (iround for this was broken March _'ist, 1870. "The corner- 
stone was laid on Thursday, ALay Tjth, by the Rev. John Chambers, with 
appropriate services, assisted by Rew R. 11. .Mien. D. 1)., Re\-. John 
McLeod, and l\cv. T. J. .\iken. The ser\ices were solemn and impressive, 
witnessed b\ ;i large audience from the surrounding country and the city. 
.Ml hearts were cheered as the bright stmshine c.-inie down through the 
darkened clouds, and seeiued to stuile on tlu' scrwml of Christ as he invoked 
God's blessing n])on the future church." The dedication took ])lace on 
Decembei- Sth. 1870. .\n elocpient sermon was delivered by Rew Charles 
Wadsworth, D. 1).. from St. Luke. 3: 3. "lie loveth our nation, and hath 
built us a synagogue." "Tlu' Rew John t 'li;indiers, Re\. J. W . Dale. D. D., 
Rev. I". I. She]ihei"d, D. D.. Rev. Professor Loreti/o Westcott. Re\. I". J. 



o 




R L '/?.-; /. PRNNS YL I \4 NIA . 



253 



Aikc'ii. Rev. ]■;. II. .Mk'ii, I). I)., Kuv. J. McLcod, Kcv. 11. i;. Ilotchkin, 
]). 1)., Rev. .Mfrtd Xeviii, I). I).. Rev. W. M. Rice, I). I)., Rev. B. L. Agnew, 
Rev. Edward Mawes, Re\'. Alaltheu Ij. drier, and other eminent divines 
took part in the afternoon and evening exercises." The church and par- 




WaVM. D.Mllbl Clll-KCll. 



sonage, and an endowment "'was the gift of J. Ilenrv .\skin, V.^^\.. under 
whose personal ihrection the builchng was conunenced and completed."' 
It was a memorial to his father and mother. 

I add a list of clergy in their order of ser\ice. gix'cn me hv niv friend 
Rev. Dr. I'atton: Rev. Sanuiel 1'. Linn. Julw 1S70 — April, 1S71; Re-.-. las. 



254 RURAL PEXXSYLl'A.MA. 

\V. Dale, D. D., September. 1871 — November, 1876: Kev. Dr. Geo. T. 
Purves, April, 1877 — March, 1880; Rev. Win. T. Kruse. Sejitember. 1881 — 
November, 18S9; Rev. William .V. Patton. 1). 1).. April. i8(;o. 

The following is from an illnstrated article, "lieautifnl Wayne and St. 
David'.s," in Ladies' Ez'cry Saturday, i)ublished by Wm. ( iardner Osgoodby, 
and edited by \\'ill J. lienners. Jr. (July JOth, A. D. 1895): 

"The present pastor, the Rev. Dr. Patton, began his labors here April 
1st, 1890. On May uth. 189J. was laid the corner-stone of the new 
church, which is a stately and costly structure of the early English Gothic 
style of architecture. During the present i)astorate the membership of 
the church has doubled. It ma\' not be amiss, in closing this review of 
a captivating subject, to let a Wayneite speak. One of the town's most 
useful and rcs])ected citizens is the l\e\'. Dr. W . .\. Pattern. ])astor of the 
Wayne Presbyterian Church. In a discourse at his church upon the life 
work of Mr. Childs, he gave credit to him for the splendid development of 
the place, but of the place itself he drew this beautiful sketch: "Look about 
you in Wayne. What makes our charming tiiwn the i)rettiest suburb in 
the whole countr}? Its natural advantages are great, it is true, but not 
even the natural advantages of an elewated plateau, and gracefully sloping 
hills, with a woodland environment, could make such a desirable home place 
as we ha\e here. Here art, in architecture, has put du her beautiful gar- 
ments — has clothed herself in new glory — and connnands the admiration 
of everv beholder, whilst the misurjiassed combination of l)eanty and 
utilit\'. the pleasing ])riip()rti(in uf lawn ami sti"ucture. the harmonious re- 
lation of a\'enue and \ill;i, gloi'ious under the golden sun by day. and beau- 
tiful under the electric glow by night, gi\e us. ,'ind niaint;iin for us, the first 
place among the suburban towns." " 

St. Mary's Mkmoui.m, Church. I'.y \\v.\-. Joiix K. .Mosks. — It is 
situated on L.ancaster Avenue, at the corner of Louella .\\enue. Wayne. 
The church .and jwrish house are built of gray limestone, fi-om the .\\-on- 
dale (|uarries. Irinnnetl with Indiana limestone. The style of architecture 
is Norman-( iothic, from designs bv Messrs. Wilson llrothers. The church 
is cruciform. The tower contains a chime of ten bells. The jiarish house 
is tboroughK- furnished for Sundav-school and guild work, and is connected 
with the clnu'ch b\- a cloister and porte-cochere. The |)ai'ish organization 
dates from i88^. ( )ccasional ser\iccs had been held in Wavne. at that time a 
ver\' small settlement. 1)\' the clergy of neighboring |)arishes. Tlu' I.incohi 
Institute for Indian (lirls h;id its sunnner home at the old l'".ag]e' I lotel. neaj" 
W;i\ ne, .and the ( 'b;i)il;iin, llie l-'.ew lose]ili I.. Miller, officiated re^vnlarly 
in Waxiie llall during the summer of i88^. In the following \ear the Rev. 



o 



o 

o 
c 

in 
X 




R URA L PENNS ) 'L I 'A NIA . 



257 



G. A. Keller, Rector of St. David's Church, held services in pi"i\ate houses. 
The congTegation grew, and Ijy 1888 felt prepared to call a rector. The 
Re\'. Thomas K. Conrad, D. D., a well-known clergyman of Philadelphia, 
who had been Rector of Calvary Church, Germantown; the Church of the 
Heavenly Rest, New York, and the Transfiguration, and St. Pauls, Phila- 
delphia, desired to build a chmxh in memory of his parents. After careful 
consideration he (.leterniined to build in Wayne; acceptetl the rectorshii) 
of the i^arisli. and began the erection of the church in i 8S9. Messrs. Childs 



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St. M.\ky's Memiiri.\l Ei'iscoi-al Church, Wayne, Pa. 



Page 254. 



and Hrcxel ga\c a lot, joo.x^oo feet, and Mr. 1 )re-\el contributed ,$3,000 to 
the buililiug fund lo proxiik- church accommodation for the students of an 
industrial college which he at that time proposed to found in Wayne. On 
-April 17th, 1890, the church was consecrated by the Bishop of the Diocese 
(\\'hitaker), the Bishoji of New Jersey (Scarborough), and Delaware (Cole- 
man), assisting-, and the Ihsho]) of New York (H. C. PcTtter), preaching the 
sermon. From the time when he became Rector until his death, in May, 
1803, Dr. Conrad was untiring in his devotion to the work he had under- 
taken: he beautified and enriched the building with a carved oak rood- 



258 RURAL PENXSVLrAXIA. 

screen, an<l several stained glass windows. The inscription on the memorial 
tablet erected by the \ estrv well expresses his spirit, "Lord, 1 have loved 
the habitation of rh\- house, and the place where 'ihine honor dwcUeth." 
Psalms, 26 : 8. On Easter Day. iN<;4. an altar <it Italian marble, with an 
altar-piece in mosaic, surmounted by a cano])y of car\ ed oak. was dedicated 
by the Bishop. This masjnificent s;ift of Mrs. Conrad, in niemorx- of her 
husband. comj)lctes his intention, and an end(.iwnient sntticient to provide 
for necessar\- re])airs insures the continuance of the fabric as he left it. I he 
present incumbent. Rew John Robert Moses, entered upon the rectorship 
Noveml)er ist, 1893, being the second Rector. 

St. K.\th.\rine's Church. — This church was dedicated by Archbishn]) 
Ryan August 30th. .\. D. 189^. Re\-. James Monahan was the preacher 
at the dedication. The following descrijition of this church is from the 
Catliolic Stauilard and 'J'iiihs (August 22(1, .\. D. 189I1), ha\ing been written 
by Father Hand: 

"The building- stands on the southwest corner of Lancaster and .\l)er- 
decn A\enues. It is of Ciothic design, with clere-story. The stone used 
in its construction is of a peculiarly jjleasant shade. It is known as 
Conestoga pink sandstone, and has ne\er before been used in any structure 
in this section of the State. 'Ihe architectural features of the church, and 
of the rectorv, which adjoins it at the rear, and the perfect harmony and 
blending of colors ha\e elicited words of praise from all who ha\e \iewed 
the new buildings. The parish of St. Katharine at \\ a\ne was establishe(! 
June 7th, 1893, 1\v Most Rev. Archbisho]i Ryan, who .iijpointed l\e\-. 
Matthew A. Hand, at th;it time assistant priest of the Church of the As- 
sumption, I'hiladclphia. to assume spiritual charge of the Catholics li\ing in 
Wayne, and its \iciuity. .\t the same time Re\-. l";ither Hand was given 
charge also of the church of St. Monica, at Rerwxn. L'p to this time the 
Catholics of W'avne and I'crwyn were under the iurisdiction of the Angustin- 
ian Fathers of \'illa Nova. A mission church had been erected for the Cath- 
olics of Iierwyu. but those of W'ayne attended .Mass at the parish Church of 
St. Thomas of \'illa No\a. ( )n the joih of Jime Mass was celebrated in 
the W'avne ()])ei"a I louse, and for f[\i: Su^day^ afterw.ard the congregation 
continued to attend Mass in this public hall. In the meantime a temjiorary 
chajicl of frame was being constructed, which was fmishcd and dedicated on 
July 30th by the Most Rev. Archbishop. A ])lot of ground. 150 feet front 
by 200 feet deep, was donated by Messrs. .\. J. Di-exel and CW. Childs.upou 
condition that a handsome stone church, costing at least $25,000, should 
be erected thereon within the period of three years. To comiilv with these 
conditions was no easy task with a congregation which, inchuling men. 




Bon Air, Residence of Cai'tain John W. Morrison. 



Page 249. 




Brentwood, Residknck of Thomas Lkaminc, Esq. 



Page 250. 



RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 



261 



women, and cliildren, did not exceed tliree linndred souls. Satisfactory 
plans for the new church and rectory haxing,- been designed by Mr. H. A. 
Roby, of Lebanon, and a fa\orable bid having- been recei\-ed for their erec- 
tion, ground was broken for the new structures on April ifith, 1S95, and the 
corner-stone of the church edifice was blessetl and laid the following June 
Qth, the Most Rev. Archbishop officiating. The rectory was completed 
by the end of the year, and January _'d, icSyf), was formall}- occupied by the 
rector." 




Wavnk IriLE AND Trust Company. 



This brief notice of a faithful priest is added in the ]iaper: 
"Rev. Matthew .\. Hand, the zealous \-oung rector of the infant parisii, 
was born in this city in i8(^)0. He was ordained to the priesthood on Jan- 
uary nth, 1885, by Archbishop Ryan. Father Hand's first mission was St. 
Dominic's Church, Holmesbnrg: he was transferred to St. John's, going 
from that church to St. Agatha's, and thence to the Assumption, where he 
served until June 7th, 1893, when he was appointed pastor of the new parish 
of St. Katharine, Wayne." 

The W'.wxe Title .\xd Trust Comp.vnv. — This company, which in- 



262 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

sures titles from tlie \arious kinds of loss incidental to such securities, was 
incorjaorated February lotli. A. D. 1890. The following are the otlicers: 
President, Dallas Sanders; Solicitor, Henry Pleasants; Secretary, Louis H. 
Watt; Directors, Dallas Sanders, Win. Wayne. Jr., Jas. C Pinkerton. Wni. 
West. Fred. H. Treat. Jos. W. Thomas. J. .\. Bailey. Dr. R. B. Okie, Tryon 
Lewis, James Goodwin. Frederick Fraley Hallowell. The company can 
carr}- on its work in an\- of the counties adjoining Philadelphia. 

The residence of Joseph C. Egbert. M. 1).. is on the east side of Wayne 
Avenue, just north of Lancaster Avenue, and adjoining the Pennsylvania 
Railroad property. It was built by Chandler B. \\"alton. having been fin- 
ished in A. D. i8gi. In 1803 it was purchased by Dr. Egbert. This stone 
building is constructed from the quarries of Port Deposit, and its size and 
architecture and lawn make it a noteworthy ol)ject on the avenue. Dr. 
Eg"1:iert is a nati\e of Lower Alerion. having been born near Bryn Mawr. 
He is a graduate of the Uui\ersity of Pennsylvania, having received the de- 
grees M. D. and Ph. D. from that noljle institution.. He passetl through 
the scientific course, and receixcd the degree of Bachelor of Science be 
fore entering on the stud\' of medicine. He has been in jiractice in Wayne 
about sixteen years. He is the son of the late Hamilton Egbert, who was 
President of the Bryn Mawr National Bank. 

Christopher Fallon, Esq.. li\es on \\'ayne Avenue, west of Aberdeen 
A\enue. He is a pioneer. ha\ing nioxed liere in A. D. 1885. Mr. I'allon is a 
natixe of New Orleans, and was educated at Seton Hall College, ( )range, 
X. J. .Since 1877 he has been a ])racticing lawyer in Philadelphia. 

0.\K-FLvME. — This wooded home lies on .\udnbon Axenue. named in 
memorx- of the great American naturalist. John J. .\u<lubon. iictween one 
and two acres are gixen to a lawn, with trees and shrubbery and flowers. 
.\ rustic cottage of jiebble-dashcd lirick and shingle has a ])orch below, and 
a ba\-\\indo\v above, to di\-ersifv the dwelling, while the ample dining-room 
has a pleasant view. co\-ering the nn^al arbor ;m(l the town of Wayne, 
i'rank Smith, the owner of this home, is one who largely pushed the great 
dcvclo])nienl of new \\ a\ne. ha\'ing been ])ri\-ate secretary to George W. 
Childs, of the riihlir Lc(li:^rr. lie became m;ui;iger of the Wayne b'state, 
under Dre.xel and Chihls, in A. D. 1S87. lie was one of the organizers of 
the Wayne Masonic Lodge, and its third .Master. The well-known business 
abilitv and persevering industry and skillful management of Mr. .Smith 
ha\'c done much to ikwelop \\ avne and its sister settlement of St. Daxicl's. 

\'()UKLVN.m:. — This jilacc lies on llloomingdale Avenue, east of i ,an- 
caster Pike. John O. Gilmore is the owner of the old ])ro])erty, which 
originallv belonged to |. 1 lenrv Askin. This was one of the original houses 




WaYNK rKKSi;VTKKIAN CllUKCH. 



Page 250. 




\ i/!eitifA. e//e. (o />jf/t 



Waym-. MhiH.iiiibi Church. 



RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 265 

huilt 1)\- .Mr. Askin in (le\cl()]Miit;- Louclla, which afterward was called 
W'avne. Captain William Wayne, of Paoli, lived here a number of years, 
and so the house was styled "Wayne Cottage." He purchased it from 
Air. Askin. In .\. D i8gi it came into the possession of Mr. Gilmore, who 
altered and impro\ed the dwellini; 1)_\ enlargement, and the addition of an 
extensive Colonial porch, and an artistic stable. Dr. Marvin .V. Wint de- 
signed these tasteful improvements. The lawn is ornamented witii many 
beautiful trees and flowers. Bloomingdale Avenue justifies its name Ijy the 
man\- splendid trees which line its borders, making it in this respect the 
garden spot of Wayne. Mr. (iilniore is a natix-e of Philadelphia, and was 
educated in the ])ublic schools, lie is a snntY manufacturer, being a mem- 
ber of the firm of W. E. Garrett & Sons, the largest manufacturers of snufif 
in the world. 

Rockland. — One of the old homesteads of Radnor Township fairly 
entitled to mention in a sketch of the neighborhood now known as W^avne, 
is the residence of the late Dr. Henry Pleasants, known as "Rockland." 
Situate on the north side of Wa\ne .\venue, about a f|uarter of a mile 
southwest of its intersection with the Old Lancaster Road, on a knoll con- 
stituting probably the highest point of the avenue, it is one of the con- 
spicuous landmarks of the neighborhood. While it certainly has no claim 
\\hate\cr to architectural beantw there is a certain home-likeness in the 
ai)])carancc of its ])lain, whitewashed walls, and broad inviting porches that 
is far from unattracti\c; and bears silent witness of a plain, restful, hospita- 
ble country hoiue. The originrd building, consisting of the easternmost 
half of the house, was erected by Mr. John W. Everman in the year 1844, on 
the site of a little hickory copse, long noted as a favorite squirrel ground; 
but the enormous quantity of boulders which covered the whole of that 
section, and their terril)le hardness disheartened not oidy well-diggers and 
builders, but even farmers, and the discouraged owner in January, 1853, 
liarted with his title to Dr. Pleasants, of West Philadelphia, then almost 
the only physician living within the county limits west of the Schuylkill, 
and one whom overwork had coiupelled to seek the quiet and rest of the 
country. Sul)stantial additions were made to the house by the new owner 
soon after his purchase, and again in 1873, and the twenty acres which con- 
stitute the accompanying farm were with matchless energy effectually 
cleared of the giant boulders, of which scarcely a trace remains save that 
suggested by the massive stone walls surrounding the fields, and the name 
of the place. 

The professional distinction and very high character of Dr. Pleasants, 



266 RURAL PENKSYWANIA. 

as well as his residence of nearly forty years in KadnDr.consti'ain the writer 
to append this short hiographical sketch: 

He was horn in Philadelphia |annar\- _'d. iSij. the fonrtecnth child of 
Israel and Ann P. Pleasants. He early removed witli his father to Xortlnnn- 
berland Connty. where, at the celebrated Milton Academy, he accjnired a 
fine edncation. In 1834 he s^radnated from the .Medical Department of 
the L'nixersitv of Pennsylvania, and began the jiractice of medicine at once 
in W est Philadel])hia. Two years later he accompanied a patient to Sonth 
.America. Then, after the termination of his engagenient, he continned 
the general practice of his profession in Rio laneiro and Bnenos Ayres. 
He retnrned from the 'rro])ics in 183S. resnmed his jiractice in West Phila- 
tlelphia. and in 1841 married Emily Sargent, formerly of Alassachnsetts. 
by whom he had six children. He was for many years the only \\ hig mem- 
ber of the Board of Health of Philadelphia, and in 1S53 was appointed 
Plnsician of the Port, bnt resigned the same year on acconnt of the extreme 
illness of a memljer of his family, and permrmentlx' removed to his residence 
at Rockland, where for man\- years his neighbors and metlical brethren had 
the constant benefit of his profession;il knowledge, althongh he ne\er en- 
gaged in active practice after leaxing West Philadelphia, .\fter the death 
of his wife he married, in May, 1885, .\nna Siter Parke, with whom he and 
his family lived at Rockland nntil his death. Jannary iith. i8go. Dr. 
Pleasants was a man of very high order of intelligence, great force of char- 
acter and energy, and unwavering adherence to principle. In his profession 
he was gentle and sympathetic, and insjiired in his jiatients the dee])est at- 
tachment and confidence. 

The residence of Inlin-^ A. Pailcw on L;mcaster Avenue. o])]iosite the 
I'ellevue llolel. is built in a modified (jueen Anne st\le. combining brick 
and stone and woodwork', and a slonc sl;ible is on the propertw Seven 
years ago Mi". Bailex' i)urchased the ])lace. and made it his abode. exce])ting 
a resort to Cape May in sunnner. wliere he has a cottage. Mr. l'>aile\' is 
a native of Claremont, .\ew llam])shire. .'uid com|)leted his literary educa- 
tion at the Ste\-eus Iligh School there. i'hil.-ulelphia has been for the most 
]iarl the scene of his business lifi'. lie was long in the en,iplo\- of Charle- 
magne Tower, and w.as n.'nned in hi-~ will ;is one of the e\ecuti>rs .nnd trustees 
of his estate. 

T-'RF.nKRicK II. Tki-at's Ri'.smi'.Nti'. in \\'a\ne is a ple;is;uit modern 
dwelling of wood and stone, eoustrncted by \\ endi'II \- Smith. The place 
contains between one and two acres. The house is situated on high ground 
on Louella A\enue. at the corner of L'pland Way. The lawn is surroundeil 



RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 269 

by an arbor-vitae hedge, and in snnnner the yard is l)right with flowers. Mr. 
Treat was Ijorn in Westtield. Hampden County, Massachusetts, and came to 
Philadelphia when he reached his niajurity, and entered the establishment 
of Coffin, Altemus & Co., and traveled through the West and South in their 
interest; and afterward became General Manager of their business in Phila- 
delphia and the West. Mr. Treat is connected with the Wayne Title & 
Trust Coiu])any, the Wayne Electric Light Company, and the Wayne Na- 
tatoriuni, and \'ice-President of the Schuxlkill Electric Railway, at Potts- 
ville, and President of the Pottsville & Reading I'iailway Company, and 
President of the Wilmington & New Castle Electric Railway, in Delaware. 

Wyndhurst. — John 11. Watt's residence in Wayne, on the southeast 
corner of Louella Avenue ami Upland \\'ay, is a very pretty dwelling of 
stone and frame, on an ele\ated site above the town. Three acres are given 
to trees antl shrubber\' and a garden plot. Horace Truuibauer was the 
architect. It was constructed by Wendell tS: Smith. In April, A. D. 1892. 
Mr. W'att occupied the place. He has long been well known as the Cashier 
of the Bank of North America, Philadelphia, ha\ing been connected with 
that institution from thirt}* to forty years. 

Enkrc.rken Terk.vce. — This pretty residence on \\'indermere .\venue 
was constructed by the Wayne Estate Company, and purchased shortly 
after its completion, in A. D. 1892, by Charles T. Cirubb. The shrubbery 
planted by the present owner, and the high position of the dwelling justify 
the name. Mr. Grubb was born in Philadelphia, and mo\ed to Canton, 
Ohio, shortly after the breaking out of the Rebellion. He enlisted in the 
I 13th Ohio Volunteer Infantrx'. and ser\ed to the end of the war. He then 
returned to Philadelphia. He is the son of Captain \\'illiam L. Grubb, of 
the 26tli Pennsylvania Infantry, who raised his cotnpany in Ches- 
ter, and joined Colonel Small's Regiment in Philadelphia. The wife of Mr. 
Grubb is the daughter of John Harding, Jr., a well-knt)wn wholesale grocer 
of Philadelphia, who lived in a country-seat on Grays Lane, in Blockley 
Township, now in West Philadelphia. Miss Margaretta W^ Harding, the 
sister of Mrs. Grubb, is a resident of this family: and a brother. Rev. J. 
McAlpin Harding, is Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, South Tren- 
ton, N. J. Alexander Harding, another brother, resides in W'est Phila- 
delphia. 

Waldo M. Claflin's country-seat was erected by him in .\. D. 1892, 
from Lindley Johnson's designs. This mansion was constructed of .\von- 
dale stone. Some four or five acres are utilized as lawn and garden. The 
old forest trees, composing a grove, are tulip-poplars, chestnuts, and oaks. 
The high position gives a fine \iew of \\'ayne and St. David's, and the sur- 



270 



A' URA L PENNS ] X / 'A NIA . 



niundiiiL;' cuuntr\'. .Mr. L'latlin is in l)usiness in riiiladclpliia. and makes 
liis aliodc in \\'a\ne all the \ear. He was horn in Milford. Wdrcestfr 
County, Massachusetts. 

The Bellev'Ue. — The high position of this summer hotel is indicated 
h\' the name, as heautiful views surround it on every side. Conshohocken 
is \isilile throu,i;h the x'alley. The house was constructed h\- tieorge W. 
Childs, and opened about .\. D. 1880. Mrs. Mary I!- Field purchased it, 
and condticted it for several years, and doubled the building in enlarging 
it. Mrs. .\. l-J. Sank bought the ])lace in 1895. and now conducts it. I'he 
house is but two or three minutes' walk from the railroad depot, making it 




The Bei.i.evuk, Wav.ne, Pa. 



\ei'\' con\enicnt for citizens. .\ni]ilc ])ia/-zas shelter guests, who while 
aw;iy sununer e\cnings in ])le;isaiU con\crse. The njjper stories are also 
furnished with piazzas, each upper room h;i\ing its sejjarate porch. A 
cupola surmounts the building. The writer of this \-olume has enjiwed 
pleasant days in ])ast \ears under this hos])itablc roof. 

TiiicOi.i) l'"..\(;i,i; Sciiooi,. \'>\ 11i:mo I'ij-.asan t.s, b-sn. — .\ tiM\clcr 
bound westward on the Lancaster Turnpike, just beftire he reaches the four- 
teenth mile-stone from Philadelphia, enters njion historic ground. ( )n th.' 
south side of the lui'npike ;lI the point of its intersection bv the ( )ld Lan- 
caster Road is the site of the old L'nicorn Ta\ern, whose legends ha\-e l)een 



RUR.ll. rnXNSVLrAXIA. 



-VJ 



£;r;ipliically and interestinj^ly ]ircsL'r\(.'(l liy Air. Julius 1"". Saclisc. in articles 
ap]iearing' in tlie columns of the / illa^^c Rccard. oi West Chester, ]'a.. about 
1887-. A luuidred yards further west, on the north side of tlie turnpike, is 
the site of tlie old Sjiread Kai;le Taxern. of which tlie same enthusiastic and 
nntirinq- histcjrian has t;i\en us in the same columns a vivid picture. 
Another hundred vards. and just west of the present toll-gate, a pulilic road 
enters the turn|)ike from the north, and tiu'ning into this road (partially laid 
onl as carl\- as 1720, and relocated in iSiX), our tra\'eler passes at once 




( ll.li EaiU.E S(1|m(]1. llnUM, SlKAlHiKli, I'.A. 



Page 270. 



imdcr the shadow of the "Sentinel Chestnut," where, it is said, the .\meri- 
can look-out watched the ICasteru landscape day h}- day while the patriot 
army was at \'alley Forge. 1diis story has also been preserx'ed in the col- 
imnis of the same r)ld jxqier in the iiUerestiug series of articles by Mr. 
Leonard V. Bittle on ■"Tredyitrin antl Radnor," appearing in 1895. But 
the traveler in whom the writer is interested must be pushed on this road 
a fjuarter of a mile further, just beyond the Strafford Station. Pennsy]\-ania 
Railroad, to reach the s]iot where now centres most of the points of historic 



274 RURAL I'ENNSVLJ-ANIA. 

interest in that immediate neit;hljorliood — Tlie ( )i(l Eagle School-Honse. 
The stor_\- of this ohl land-mark has also heen recorded in the I'illagc Record 
]>y Air. Sachse (1888), and later and more fully in pamphlet form hy the 
Board of Trustees at present in charge of the property. From these ac- 
counts it appears that a few years hefore the Revolution about two acres of 
land at this point were dedicated by an unknown ])hilanthropist out of the 
Huzzard tract, for "The general use and good of the Xeighborhood, iov 
Religious, Educational, and Burial purposes." Originally a log church is 
said to ha\-e stood some twenty feet north of the present building, erected 
as an outpost of the Old Lutheran Church at The Trappe. The little 
graveyard adjoining indicates l)urials as early as 1777. The present stone 
building succeeded the log church in 1788, and has been a veritable cradle 
of education for the neighliorhood; according to MacMasters, it was one 
of the very few rural school-houses in the United States. For religious, 
political, and general purposes, too, the nld building was during that ])eriod 
in constant demand, 

"Tlie lonely centre of our social life." 

About 1842, more than a half century's use having reduced it to a 
ruinous condition, it was relniilt, somewhat enlarged, and resumed active 
service for another thirtv _\ears, until the erection in 1872 of a new school- 
house about one-(|uarter of a mile further west. The use of the building 
for religious and general purposes languished for another year, when a 
sc|uatter established and retained for two years a precarious tenure of the 
place in defiance of criminal and ci\il jMoceedings, and finally surrendered 
it to the TrechtTrin School Hoard, who. after various inclTectual etiorts to 
dispose of it, retained ])c3ssessicHi through a tenant, until upon petition to 
the Court of Connnon Pleas, of Chester County, rennsyhania, by many 
citizens of the neighborhood claiming ])ri\ileges through the original dedi- 
c.'ition, and after \ears of litigation to ascertain the rights of the public 
there, no deed of proi)erty existing, the present trustees were a])pointed 
by the Court, May Oth, 1895, "To regulate the manner in which the property 
can most clTectiveb' be utilized for the general use and good of the .Xeigh- 
borhood. for Religious, Educational, and liurial ])urposes." The decision 
bv Judge W'addell in this case (reported 36 Weekly Notes, 348), con- 
stitutes, it is believed, the onl\- instance in the United States, where the 
ch;iracter of such ;i ])ublic trust has been successfully established u])on tra- 
ditionary evidence. 

During its long and checkered history the old building has been often 
visited by distinguished clergymen. Tradition declares the patriot divine, 



RURAL PENNSVLrANlA. 277 

Mulilenbcrg, a frecjuent preaclier in tlie orii^inal church, althous^h of this 
there appears no record exidence. Later ]\ev. Mr. Keys and [lev. James 
1*". Lirown. of the Baptist Church, preaclieil frec|uentl_\- at the old school- 
house; but, perhaps, in later years most closely associated with the religious 
uses of the place, and most identified with it, was the beloved young Rector 
of Old St. David's, Rev. Thomas G. Clemson, who at the time of the sev- 
erance of his pastoral relations with that \-enerable ]iarisli. had made nuich 
progress in the establishment at the Old Eagle School-house, of ".V Chapel 
of St. David's," l^esides giving earnest co-operation in the services of the 
little Sunda}--school established there. This work was i)artially continued 
b\- I\e\-. W'm. ¥. llalsey. Air. Clemson's successor in the incumi)ency at 
St. David's, but the estaldishment of a Protestant Episcopal Church near 
\'illa Nova, diverted interest from the old school-house, and the chapel 
enterprise was finally abandoned. 

The erection of the i)rescnt Iniilding in the year of the establishment of 
the United States Government (1788), and its complete disassociation, as 
well from any personal history (the original donor being unknown), as from 
anv but .\mcrican institutions, presents it to every \-isitor as a unicpie monu- 
ment of pioneer philanthropy. With this fact in \iew the Trustees ha\-e 
most successfully applied themselves to restore the okl building and grounds 
to their primitive appearance, and have enlisted practically the entire coni- 
nuuiitN' into svmpatln- with and sup])ort of their plans. 

These plans, according to a recent report (Fel)ruary, 1897). made by 
the Trustees to the contributors to the expenses of restoration, contemplate; 

The establishment on the ]:)ro])erty of a I'ublic Library antl Reading 
Room, mainlv confined to historical subjects and books of reference, and 
the use of the building for small gatherings for religious and educational 
purposes. 

The offer of prizes in the public schools of the neighboring town- 
ships of Upper Merion, Radnor, Easttown, and Tredxft'rin, which in the 
coming years, it is hoped, will include scholarships at the Uni\-ersity pf 
Pennsylvania, P>ryn Mawr College, or West Chester Normal School. 

No additional interments will be jiorniitled in the grave\'ard, but after 
the restoration of the old walls, and proper grading of the property, it is 
hoped to erect on the most appropriate spot a handsome monument to the 
memory of the soldiers of the neighborhood, who took part in the late 
war for the integrity of the Union. 

In order to give more system to the co-operation of the friends of thi,-. 
old charity, the formation of an association is contemplated, whose object 
shall be the furtherance of the aims for which the charit\' was created. The 



278 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

pa\'ment of a nuininal sum yearly Ijy each of the meinljers \\ill, it is believed, 
insure the receipt of such revenue as will pay all the current expenses in- 
curred in maintaining the property in projier condition. 

On a rising ground on the right of the railway above the old Eagle 
Hotel is the residence of J. L. \\'entworth, where the writer of this volume 
has Ijeen ])leasantly entertaineil in jjast days. The place was once owned liy 
a descendant of Bishop White. The Wentworths are an ancient race in New 
Hampshire, and awork has been written concerning them. The earlycolonist 
was named \\'illiam. He was born in England in 1(115. Patriots, governors, 
and literary men were in the ranks of this family, who touched noble blood. 
Governor Benning Went worth is known in the ".\e\\ Hampshire Grants" 
history. The tract is now Southern \'ermont. The Governor had a lot 
reserxed for an Episcopal Church in each grant. He gave 500 acres of land 
to Dartmcnith College. He married as a second wife his housekeeper, 
]\Iartha Hilton, who had been a member of his household from youtli, and 
Longfellow wrote his poem, "Lady \\'entworth," to commemorate this 
wedding. 

D. S. Newhall resides on the property adjoining the railroatl land, on 
the north side, near the station at Strafford. His frame house was planned 
b\- the architects, McKim, Mead & ^^'hite. The location is on a slo]"iing 
lawn, running down to the railroad. The line old evergreen trees which 
adorn it are visible from the railway. Mr. Newhall was born in German- 
town, and educated at private schools. He became engaged in Lovering's 
Sugar Refinery, in Church Alley, near Christ Church; but entereil the 
service of the Pennsxlwuiia Kailroad C(im]iany in iSS_>, and is now Assistant 
Secretary of that immense corporation. 

The Devon Inn was built by Collin i!v .Vltemus sixteen miles from 
Broad Street, at an elexation of 550 feet. The air of this high region is 
excellent, the situation attractive, and beauty of scenery, and surroundings 
of historic interest add to its charms. A'alley Eorge. and Paoli, with 
memories of the ]\e\'olution, are within driving distance, and old St. David's 
Church is not far away. There is a swimming pool here, and an artesian 
well sup])lies the liouse with water. 

L. C. Altemus owns a farm of about tlnxe hundred acres south of the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, near Devon Station. The dwelling is the old 
Ivester jiroperty, t.astefully altered and im]M'o\-ed. This gentleman-farmer 
raises a blooded stock of horses, largely of the hunter tyjie, and is improving 
his land greatly. The De\on T"'olo Club was started on this place 1)y Mr. 
Altemus. The game is ]ilayed on jionies. British officers in India started it 
in lien of foot-ball, which was a heavv exercise for the climate. It came to 



o 




RURAL PENNSVLl .1X1.4. 281 

England, and. in 1875, J'lnies Gordon Bennett instituted tlie Westchester 
(N. V.) Club, whicii plays at Newport in summer. Other clubs followed. 
A ball is (Irixen b)- mallets, with loni; handles, through the goal of the op- 
ponents, and it in this is like hockey or shinne\-, l)Ut the rules are like those 
of foot-l)all. Hut few play at once, and much skill is required. The Devon 
Club has a large membership. The officers are: C. Davis English, Presi- 
dent; John I). \'alentine, X'ice-I'resident ; Ilenrx- Warren. Treasurer; L. C. 
.\llenuis. Secretary. 

Radxor Ridgk. — Dr. J. lowing Alears has an attracti\e hmise, built of 
stone .and slate, on the Ridge at De\-on in the extreme western part of 
Delaware County. He properly calls it "Radnor Ridge," on account of its 
being on tlie crown of Radnor Ridge, which is at the head of Conshohocken 
X'alley, covering a view on one side down the valley across the Schuslkill to 
Chestnut Hill in the distance. On the other side the spires of St. Thtimas's 
Church. \ ilia Xo\a, are seen four or li\e miles awaw The residence was 
built by Dr. Sajous. on a part of the I'ugh farm, in .V. D. 1887, who occu])ied 
it for three years; aufl Dr. Mears piu"chased it in i8<;o. as a sunnner abude. 
The house borders on \'alle_\- h^ii-ge Road, cn-er which the Continental .\rm\' 
])asscd in Revolutionary days, when Washington and his noble soldiers were 
encam])ed there. 

Not far distant is "'Hammer llollow.'" where the forge was situated 
where implements of war were constructed in the Revolution. On the lawn 
here are over a hundred trees of rare foliage and fruit, which in coming years 
will form a young forest on this miniature farm. 

Professor Mears was born in lndiana])olis. Indiana, lie is a graduate 
of Trinity College, Hartfcjrd, Connecticut, where he was a fellow-student 
with the author of this volume. He is a graduate of Jefferson Medical Col 
lege, Philadelphia, and has studii-d in foreign countries, and has been con- 
nected with hospitals as surgeon, and was long a lecturer of jiractical surgerv 
at Jefferson ]\Iedical College, as well as gynecologist to the hospital, lie 
has lieen Professor of .\natoniy and Surgery for twenty-six years in tin 
I'ennsyKania College of Dental Surger\-. He was President of the .\mericaM 
Surgical Association, which is comjiosed of the prominent surgeons of the 
country. Tiiis prominent physician wrote a \olume, entitled "Practical 
Sm;ger\-." and numerous monogra])hs. and edited the Transactions of the 
.\merican Surgical .\ssociation for twelve vears, and has been well known in 
other work as a medical author and editor. 

TiiF. RicH.VRDSoN Coxv.vLF.scENT HoME at Hanuuer Hollow is a 
branch of the Presbyterian Hospital. This was a donation of Lady Kort- 



282 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

riylit, of Lt)iulon, an American huly, as a nieniorial of her father and mother, 
wlio are honored in tlie name. 

The Eliza CATurAUT Homi:. — This splendid stone Iniilding was the 
legacv of the ijenerous Cliristian man. William C. Strond. of the Baldwin 
Locomotive Works, "in loving- memory of his mother, ivliza Cathcart 
Stroud." and was dedicated in A. D. iS<),V The donor's portrait adorns the 
walls. Some lifty-three acres are in this heautiful tract, emhracing a pond, 
and rolling hills. 

"The T'enjaniin and I'hoehe Ann linlchinson Ward was an annex of 
the C'athcart 1 lome, erected and endowed hy their <laughter, Mary W. 
Hutchinson, of West I'liiladelphia, as a memorial of her parents." as the 
memorial brass notes, which is flanked hy their portraits. She also donated 
the chapel. The private rooms are coz\ and comfortable, and the chapel 
is a pleas.anl room. Tlie winter family is at present twenty-nine. 

Lemuel .\shmead owned the tract covering the jionil. including hfty 
acres, having bought it from Mr. Cundy. They sold to the Presbyterian 
Hospital. Three additional acres were bought of Edward Wilson's estate 
for the site of the Hutchinson Home. 

H.\m.mi:k HoiJ.ow. — The tradition, as given me by William M. Kerns, 
is that a small forge, with a tri]i-hannner, worked by water-])ower, was here 
in Re\olution;ii-\ davs, ;nid also a blacksmith shoir, and that when the 
American .\rni\ lay at X'alley Eorge the horses were shod, and wagons re- 
])aired here. An old tradition rejire.sents Washington as sliding down-hill 
on a sled here in snowv weather, while waiting for the shoeing of the horses. 

The old mill seems to have been tirst a grist-mill and then a turning- 
mill under I\lr. Cundy, and is now ;i ])nmping station for the institutions. 
Elour was ground here for the army. 

Hammer Hollow Creek is a beaiuifnl little stream, bcxisting a tiny 
w.iterfall, while rocks abound in |)ictm-es(iue confusion on the high hills which 
bound the stream. I'ragments of walls of two stone cottages stand near 
the creek, and close b\- the upper ruin the earthwork points out the site of 
the old broken dam for the iron works. Some colored folk dwell in small 
houses a little abo\c this point, and one of them, nametl Johnson, toUl me 
on mv visit of a chimney formerly standing near the dam. which may have 
been a relic of the forge or blacksmith's shop. 

J. H. Dawson writes me th.it his neighlior, Mrs. Firown. whose maiden 
name was Cundy, informed him that oidy one corner of the present mill 
was standing in 1777. Mr. Cimdy built the mill as it now is, Mr. Percy 
owned the property before Mr. Cundy, and Mr. lb-own was the next pre- 



o 

D 




K URA L PENNS YU 'A NIA . 285 

\ioiis owner. Mr. Dawson's ground, on which his pleasant home stands, 
on a L;()(id localion. on liigli ground, was bought from the estate of Phineas 
I'aist in 1889. 

1 ln' c_"ha])lain of tlie Presbyterian Hospital reports services at the 
Richardson and C'athcart Homes, as well as week-day visits for spiritual aid 
to the ])alienls and prayer. The services gave pleasure. See details in the 
.\nnual Report of the l'resli\terian llos])ital. A. 1). 1896, p]). 13, 30, 31, 34. 
35, 48, 49, 59, 60. Re\-. J )r. Charles A. Hickey is the President of the i'rus 
tees, and Rev. Dr. Henry L. Lex, Chaplain. Rev. Thomas L. Gulick is 
the Su])erinteudcnt of the Cathcirt and Richardson Homes. 

St. D.wid's CiURcii, R.\unor. By Rev. Georc.e A. Keller, Rec- 
tor. — St. David's Church nestles at the foot of a long hill gently sloping to 
the south. It is built of native stone, slightly \arying in its tints, laid up with 
white pointing, in a most substantial and workmanlike way. .\11 of the east 
walls and ])art of the south is co\'ered with ivy. A quaint feature of the 
church is a co\-ered staircase leading to the gallerx . This was built some 
years after the church. The doors and windows of the churcli arc arched, the 
latter having shutters, and protected by hea\-y iron ])ars. (ira\es, with their 
moss-coxered stones and cpiaint epitaphs, come up to it on all sides. In- 
deed, its front doorstep marks a grave. The interior of the church, though 
plain, is dignified and churchly. A gallery at the west end is used as a 
choir, and contains the organ. The coloring of the church is chiellv white, 
with the walls of a pale buff. An aisle, with its floor of red tiles, running 
from the chancel rail to the west end. is crossed by another, ruiming from 
the front door to the x'cstry room, forming a cross. The foiU stands at 
the north entrance to the church. A bluish-gray stone, taken out of St. 
David's Cathedral. Wales, and cut with the figure of a cross, which was 
o\er the altar in P.ishop \';uighan"s Chapel for seven hundred \ears. was 
presented to the church by the Dean of the Cathedral. This stone has 
been inserted in the wall just over the entrance, and forms the keystone of 
its arch. .\ brass cross abo\e the altar conuneniorates the fact that services 
were held in the parish in the year 1770 A. D. The ceiling of the church is 
arched. 

The Welsh emigrants were a religious people, and were not content un- 
less tjiey had the same religious atmosidiere to which thev had been accus- 
tomed. Those who built the churcli felt the need of a church in which theii 
ancient faith and rites could be celebrated, and ere long thev built as an offer- 
ing to Ckid the very best one they knew how. with the means thev h-'.d at 
hand. A ]ielilion was sent from Radnor to the "Societv for the Propagation 
of the (;os])el in I'^oreigu Parts," askitig that ,-i missionar\- be sent them, who 



286 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

could speak the "British tongue." saying through such ministration a large 
number of Uuakers would return to the old faith; and promising to Inhld 
a "handsome stone church." In Septcml)er of 1714 the Rev. John Clul)l), 
sent out by the Venerable Society, met the people of Radnor, and it was 
decided to build the church the following year, a considerable sum of money 
being raised for that object at the meeting. Tliis meeting, known now as 
the Founding of the Church, is connnemurated in the iiarish. each year, on 
the first Sunday in September, this day being known as "anniversary Sun- 
day." In May of 1715, the following year, the corner-stone of the church 
was laid with approjjriate ceremonies. It was finished and occupied the 
same year. Services in the parish antedate the erection of the house of 
worship by at least fifteen years. They were held fortnightly at a private 
house by the Rev. Evan Evans, Rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia, as 
early as 1700. The ser\-ice was s;iicl in the cluu-ch in the Welsh language 
for about forty years. Though the language was changed, the same service 
was continued till the breaking out of the Revolution, when the missionary 
of that day, the Rev. William Currie, who could not conscientiously desist 
from pra\'ing for the l\()\'al I'aniilv. was oljjiged to discontinue the service. 
Peace being established, he resumed his duties, and the service, practically 
unchanged except in the prayer for those in authority, has continued with- 
out intermission to the present day. Idie Rev. Mr. Currie, who remained 
in the neighborhood "jiraying." as he said, "for the people." as soon as the 
war was ended, called the parishioners together, and repaired the church. 
]iutting" it into the condition in which it remains at the present time. When 
it was decided to build a church, there was a dilTcrence of i)])inion in regard 
to its location. Sides were taken, and feeling ran high. .\t length it was 
decided to .submit the matter to one who had recently come from the old 
country, and had not taken sides. Me selected the present site, because it 
was near a fine spring of water. 

The oldest stone in the graveyard is a slab of soapstone. brought from 
Wales, and records an interment in 171'). It is thought that btu-ials were 
made Iiefore that, but if so tlierc is no rccor<l of the fact, it is said that some 
of the men who were massacred at Paoli were buried here, 'idie t'amous 
(ieneral "Mad Anthony Wayne" lies Iiere, a modest momnnent, erected 
by the Society of the Cincinnati, ni.arking the sjiot. The churchyard has 
been added to several times, but in ,all the ch.anges the rule, established by 
the builders of the church, and who ni.arked out its first graves, has been 
observed, and everybody within its sacred precincts lies with their face 
to the East, looking for the coming of the morning of the general resurrec- 
tion. 



o 



C 
P 

n 




RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 289 

Tlie lines of Longfellow on this church have made it known far lieyond 
the limit of its own c|uict ncig'lihorhood. They begin as follows: 

What an image of peace and rest 

Is this little chnrch among its graves! 
All is so quiet: the troubled breast. 
The wounded spirit, the heart oppressed. 

Here may find the repose it craves. 

The author of this \ohnne is glad to insert this Iicautiful sketch. He 
has i)een familiar with the chmxdi since the rectorship of liis friend, the late 
Rev. Thomas G. Clemson, and he makes an amiual Sunday \-isit to this 
shrine, and has given the history of the church in his "Country Clergy of 
Pennsylvania." Henry Pleasants. Esq., has also sketched its history. 
The venerable Rev. Wm. F. Halsey guidetl Longfellow in his visit. 

Hapi"V Creek F.\rm. — The entrance to Provost Harrison's place is 
on a simple country road, which has been Httle changed since old St. David's 
Church, near-by, was young. A massive stone gate-way, without gates, 
introduces to a wood, wiiere a macadamized road winds through a grove, 
and then bursts t)ut into an open view, as the house, which is not visilde 
frcjm the highwa_\', presents itself. The high situation is one of those fine 
locations in w hich this section abounds, and lo\'ely scenery is on ever_\- side. 
A large hall, with its stairway and fireplace and high clock, runs through 
the dwelling, and a piazza opens on the rear. The family portraits group 
the worthies of an elder day with the present generation, while an engraving 
of Nicholas ^Valn, famous in earl\- Philadelphia days, and an ancestor of 
Mrs. Harrison, brings a reiuinder rjf anti(|uit}-. riic name of the place was 
suggested by that of a \'irginia estate, owned by relatives of the family. 
The architects of the building were Furness, Evans & Co. 

Charles Custis Harrison is the son of George Leib Harrison. LL. D. 
The father ga\e many years to wide and charitable work for his fellow-men. 
and, becoming the President of the Board of Charities, wisely influenced leg- 
islation in Pennsylvania. The son studied in the E]iiscopal Academ)' and 
the University of Pennsyh'ania, gra<hiating as leader of his class, deli\'er- 
ing the Greek Salutatorv. and obtaining the Henry Reed prize in English 
essay writing. He has been an acti\e business man as President of the 
large Franklin Sugar Refining Com]iany. and member of the firiu of Har- 
rison. Frazier & Compau)-. In 1S76 he receixcd an election as Trustee of 
the University of Pennsyhania, and, in 1885. after the death of the Honor- 
able John Welsh, he succeeded him as Chairman of the Conunittee on Ways 
and Means. He is now the active and successful Provost of that great 



290 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

University, which has done so useful an eckicational work for Philadelphia 
and the whole country, and which, under his fostering care, is lengthening 
her cords and strengthening her stakes, and obtaining rich endowments to 
l)less coming generations. Provost Harrison has lately recei\cd the degree 
of LL. D. from the Columbia Universit\-. in Xew York cit\-, a pleasant 
honor from an ancient institution, Icindretl in history to the Uni\ersity of 
Pennsylvania. 

1"he wife of C. C. Harrison, Ellen Wain Harrisnii. is (k-scril)i-il bv 
Charlotte I*endleton as the descendant of llionias Lloyd, of 1 )olabran 
Castle, Wales, who was an early and important settler in this State, being 
President of Penn's Council. Judge .\nthon\' Morris, and the natit)nal ben- 
efactor, Ixobcrt JNIorris, were also her ancestors. Colonel John Nixon, who 
read the Declaration oi Independence at the old hall; Colonel Sanuiel Mor- 
ris, of the First City Troop, and the first of the three Nicholas Wains, of 
the "Welcome" passengers, and Richard .\ixon were among her remarkal)le 
ancestry. Her practical sympathy was seen in a h'loriila rail\\a\- wreck, w hen 
she called the men to her assistance, and changed a ihvelling-honse into a 
hosjntal, where the sick and dying received loving attention, ller posi- 
tiim in the female organizations of the city is observed in her Presidenc\' 
of the Pemi Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution, and her member- 
ship in the r>oard of Managers of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National 
Society of the Colonial Dames of America. "Sincerity and truth" is the 
motto that indicates the ])o\ver of such a character. She is \'ice-Regent 
for Pennsylvania of the Mount \'ernon .\ssociation. 

I)ROOKO.\MC. — George j\lfred Fletcher's farm, called llrookd.'de. is 
situated on Church Road, half ;i mile nnribcast fi"om t)ld St. Daxid's 
Church, I^adnor. The picturesque Darby Creek runs through it for over 
a half-mile. This was a ]iart of the Longworthy Tract. Moses Roberts 
formcrh' owned it, ;md Sanniel P)rooke followed him; and then Jiis son John. 
.•md the son of John, Jesse, who was the father of Rvnjanhn N- ;nul 1 )r. 
John P)rooke. 

Benjamin .\'. I'.rooke, of the aiici(,'nt ami well-known famil\- of that 
n.ame. owned tliis farm, cont;iining one hundred and thirt\' acres, which 
Mr. Metcher bought of him four or li\e ye.ars since. lie contemplates 
erecting a country home there in the near future. The farm contains 
twenty-three acres of woodland, exceeding any estate of the neighborhood 
in that resi)ect. I'^ine old trees of \arions kinds are em])r;iced in this tract. 
'J'iie stone f.arm-house was built in .\. 1). 174'), .and the chinniev is so large 
that a person may stand within, and look at the o])en sky abo\e. There 
was but one owner of this property. 



>« 
» 







RURAL PEi\'\SyLI\l\JA. 293 

Mr. Fklclicr is a Philadel]:)hirin. of Norman-French descent, his early 
ancestors haxinii;' nioxed from I-rance to England ahout 1500. The name 
is derived from arrow -making. The dressing of the feather on the arrow 
was calk'il llctching. and the arrowniakers. tletchers. Robert Fletcher set- 
tled in Lancaster, Massachusetts, in 1030, whence his descentlant, George, 
father of the one of whom we are writing, moved to Philadelphia in 181 2. 
Timothy Fletcher, grandfather of George Fletcher, gathered a sleigh-load 
of shoes, and brought them from Lancaster, Massachusetts, to \'alle\' 
Forge, walking by the side of the sleigh. This was a patriotic act to relie\e 
the suffering. Is not the stor_\' an inilication of more snow than generallv 
falls to our lot in this climate? The foot-sore soldiers must have rejoiced 
to see that sleigh and its worthy owner, and Mount jMiserv ma\' ha\'e re- 
sounded with the shouts that welcomed his arrival. The centennial cjf the 
birth of George Fletcher was observed June ist, 1890, at Meadowcroft. 
where his tlescendants were gathered, and held an enjovable anni\ersary. 
See "Meadowcroft" in the description of Clairemont barm, near X'illa 
Xova, in this volume. 

Mr. Cassatt's old-fashioned yellow mansion stands on the roadside 
in going from Wayne to Lincoln Ciodfrey's country-scat. 

Theophilus 1', Chandler's large brown mansion on a hillside has a stately 
look. The stone was quarried on the place. The house displa\'s an archi- 
tect's taste, as the owner is one distinguished in that useful profession. 

Crvst.\l Spring F.\rm. — Tliis is the beautiful country-seat of Lincoln 
Goilfrey. A very ample lawn is in front of the dwelling. The flowers 
above the large stone gateway bid welcome to the incomer. The sheep 
grazing are a ]_Mcturesc|ue featiu'e. The rolling ground displavs beautiful 
views of the stu-rounding farms in their summer glory, and the outlook 
from the dining-room windows is sj^ecially striking. A porte-cochere is 
in front of the house, which in sununer serves as a ])lace to catch the cool 
breeze and display floral favorites. The blue-stone which forms the walls 
came from a distance. The hall is one of the finest in the writer's knowl- 
edge. The balcony on the second storv gives entrance to the chambers, 
one side being adorned with arches. The oak wainscoting displavs God's 
handiwork in the \eins of the wixhI with fine effect. A magnificent fire 
])lace occuiiies one side of the hall. It is constructed of massix'e stone 
work, with a large mantel of white stone. The timbers a]3pear in the roof 
of the hall: and tpiaint, foreign-looking arcbetl windows are between the 
hall and the dining-room. .V reception-room opens from the hall, and the 
large and cheerful ]iarlor also is entered from the hall, while the billiard- 
room adjoins it. The mansion was designed l)y Theoijlnlus P. Chandler, 



294 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

and was erected about two years since. The house olitains an a1)undance 
of water from the Crystal Spring, ])oth wind and steam-power Ix'ing used 
in the supply. The piazza in the rear opens into a fine conservatory, which, 
forms a second ])iazza, with arched windows, enclosed in winter. The 
greenhouse supplies the jjlants. The father of Mr. Godfrey, Benjamin G. 
Godfrey, has long served as the faithful Treasurer of the Diocese of Penn- 
syUania. Mrs. Lincoln (iodfrey is the daughter of the manufacturer. 'Wil- 
liam Simpson, Jr. 

HiCKORV Hall, Trvon Lewis's Farm. — Levi Lewis gave this aiii)ro- 
priate name to his mansion, which is located on a jiicturescpie site on ;i high 
ele\ation among trees, hickories being in the rear of the house. The large 
building of stone was built about A. D. 1842. Mr. Lewis was then con- 
ducting farming and milling. The saw and grist-mills are located on l)ari)y 
Creek. Wigwam Rtm, a branch of Darby Creek, runs through the faruL 
An Indian wigwam in a clearing (in the pL'ice in early days is said to have 
gi\cn tlie name. The original house is the anti(|ue stone dwelling near 
the sijring-house. In the detached kitchen aliout twenty men were ([uar- 
tercd when Washington was at \'alley h'orge. in I'ani]) Wnods on Mr. 
Tryon Lewis's upper place, there was also a camp to guard the old Lan- 
caster Road at Sorrel Horse Hill. The immense old stone barn was buih 
about 1834. Levi Lewis was the father of the jjresent owner, Tryon Lewis. 
The pro])ert\' has been in the hands of this family for four generations. An 
old log house stood on this farm, where tradition says that General Anthony 
Wayne's mother was born. Her maiden name was Iddings. She belonged 
to the Seventh-Day Baptists of Xcwtown Square. She was baptized in 
the west branch of Darby Creek, near the dixiding line of Newtown and 
Radnor Townships. .\ holly tree brought from Mount Holly many years 
ago by Thomas Thomas, was planted on the Lewis farm, .and now is a large 
tree. William Lewis, of Xcwtown. married this gentleman's daughter. 
The ijresent tract, covering about four luuKh'ed and fifty acres, embraces 
two farms, the u])])cr farm haxing belonged to the .Miles familx', who were 
related to the Lewis family by marriage. The mills apjiear to have been 
started b\' the Lewises, ;uid the first mill nia\ ha\e probably been near the 
lime-kiln. The chestnut trees, called "the seven sisters," s])routing from a 
mother stump, mark the entrance to the old place. The grou]i of antique 
buildings is one of tlie most striking ])ictures in this \icinit\-. 

Henry Pleasants, Escp, in his panqihlet on l\;idnor CIuu\-h, st.ates that 
the ruins of the log-house of Mr. Davis, on the Tryon Lewis ])I,ice. mark 
the spot where services were held before St. David's Church was built. See 
my "Country Clergy of Pennsylvania," p. 232. 



X 
n 




RURAL PENNSYU-AKIA. 297 

P.ERWYN. — Some fifty years ago, at a social tiatliering of the medical 
fralernily in I'hiladeliihia, the cjuestion of the healthfulness of the suhurbar, 
districts was iiifoniiall\- discussed, when a highly esteemed old school 
yuaker practitioner astonished his brethren b\- saying in an authoritative 
tone: "I tell you, you know nothing about it. The healthiest place is the 
ridge running from Radnor to Paoli." And well might his fellow Solons 
be astt)nished, for at that time the main line of the Pennsylvania Railrciad, 
which rvms along the crest of this ridge, passed through a sparsely settled 
and poorly cultivated country, hardly a iiouse of note in view from the rail- 
road; all the rich farms and comfortable farm-houses lay snugly hid in the 
rich \alleys on either side of the ridge. The stations were few and far be- 
tween. Narl)erth, Bryn Mawr, Rosemont, St. David's, Wayne, and Devon 
had not been called into existence, and "City Line" (Overbrook), "Libert)'- 
ville" (Merion), ".Kthensxille" (.Vrtlmore), Whitehall, "Morgan's Corner" 
(Radnor), Eagle, and "Reeseville" (Berwyn), gave little promise of the 
future before them. Could the good old doctor come back from that better 
world, whither he has long since gone, he would be as much astonished a^ 
the wonderful transformation the "ridge" has undergone as were his hear- 
ers when he so emphatically expressed his o])inion. The "healthiest region" 
is now the most fashionable, and the "ridge from Radnor to Paoli" fairly 
bristles with the handsome residences of former Philadelphians. ( )n the 
highest |)oint of the "ridge" is IJerwyn, which in }ears gone by went b\- the 
])rc)saic name of "Reeseville," after the old county family cjf that name. and. 
which one of our greatest artists has pronounced the prettiest village on 
the Pennsylvania Railroad. Be that as it may, no one can deny that 
Berw}!! is the centre of a picturesque region, and the country around is 
charming and historic. In whatever direction you go every road is full of 
historic recollections. To the north the Cassatt Road passes through the 
fanious Chester \'alley to Valley Forge, so dear tcj all Americans; the 
Waterloo Road on the south takes you to old St. David's, that dear little 
church which the blight of modern innovation has scarcely touched; the 
Lancaster Pike leads directly to the site of the Paoli massacre, and by a cross 
countrx' road to old St. Peter's in the vallev, contcmporar\- with old St. 
Da\'id's, but not so ha])py in its fate, for the hand of the restorer has ])ressed 
heavilv on its ancient walls; the Leopard Road runs with manv a bend and 
turn lo tlie old Wayne homestead, where "Mad Anthon\'s" descendants 
still reside, and where they show you the old receiJtion-room. furnished 
exacth' as it was when Lafayette visited this countrv. .V countrv village 
Berwyn is. and a country village it will ])robably always remain. It con- 
tains four acti\e clun-ches. one of the best conducted ])ul)lic schools in the 



298 RURAL FEXXSVLr.lXIA. 

State, a hank, and over twenty little stores, but not one niann- 
factorv or lar,o-e industrial estahlishnieiil, or anytliino' that would huild up 
the xillage. It is essentialK' a \illai4e of homes, small though most of them 
are, for thanks to the Building- Association estrJilished a score of years ago, 
most of the inhabitants own their own houses. Adjoining the village, or in 
the inunediate neighborhood are man)' hne residences, notably those of C. 
Da\-is F.nglish, Jacob C. Cramp, Josej:h 11. Coates, the late Ivobert Hunter, 
Cleorge W. South, and Henry T. Coates. "Langdaie," the residence of 
the last-named, is a commodious, home-like luansion, designed by Addison 
Hutton, and built of Chester County limestone. It stands on the 1)row of 
a prett\' sloi^e, and is surrdunded by handsome grounds of thirty-six acres. 
The main entrance aj^proaches the mansion over an ornamental stone 
Ijridge across the arm of a pictm^esciue little sheet of water. At the rear of 
the house is a tract of nati\e woodland, on the edge of which are the stables. 
The rear entrance is through a piece of woodetl land, and close bv is the 
gardener's lodge, also in the Colonial sl\-lc. from designs b\- Addison 
Hutton. ; g,\\i^ 

Ardrossan. — Near Maple Axenuc .St.ation. not far from West Chester, 
on West Chester Branch Railroad, lies Ardrossan, the ct)untrv-seat of 
Thomas H. Montgomery, well known in business and church circles in 
Philadelphia. He purchased the mansion ;ind land in .\. 1). iSSj. from Mr. 
Pierce Hoopes, who built the house in 1S4S on his ancestral ])roi)erty. The 
name .\rdrossan is that of an estate in .\yrshire, Scotland, which has been 
in the possession of the Montgomery f.amih' o\er 800 vears. The father 
was the first Rector of St. Stejihen's Church, l'hil;nlel])hia. and Thom;is II. 
Montgomery's great-grandfather was the honored fn-st liisho]) of Pennsyl 
\ania, whom \\'ailsworth st\'led 

"saimly White, 
r.'ilrinrcli of a wiilc-s|iri-;u!iii'4 family." 

(See my "i'.arly C'K'i-g\ of l'enns\l\ani;i and I )ela\vare." ]). lu.) While 
the English ])oet's reference w;is to s])iritual descendants, it is pleasant to 
note natural ones. ISishop 11. II. .Montgomery, of Tasmania, who mar- 
ried Dean h'arrar's daughter, is of ihe .Montgomery family: also l\e\-. J.amcs 
I'". Monlgomery. I). 1).. I)ean of iMlinburgh. Two of Thom.is 11. .Mont- 
gomery's sons are in I loly ( )rilers. l\e\ . J. Alan .Montgomery, of St. Peter's 
Church, Philadelphia, and Rev. .S. (i. .M. Montgomery, .\ssociate Rector 
of St. l-\d<e's, Kearney, Xebi-;iska. The late l\e\'. Or. Ilenrv K. Mont- 
gomer\-, of Xew ^'(ll•k. was of this familw as well as the Late Re\-. William 



RURAL rENXSVLrAXLl. 301 

White Montg-omery, of Mamaroncck, N. Y., who was a l)r()lher of Tlionias 
II. Montgonierv. 

Turning- to 'J'lionias Harrison Montgomery's Genealogical History of 
the family — a printed volume — we find Ardrossan is (iaelic. from "Ard," 
high, and "Ross." a i)ronionotory. It is conjectured that Montgomery 
is from the Latin "Mons Gomeris," Gomer's Mount. Gomer was the son 
of Japheth ((ienesis to : 2). There is a reference to Arthur's History of 
Names. Gomer was the oldest son of Japheth, and the Scotch and Irish 
G;r'1s and Welsh C}'mry (with the same consonants), are supposed to be his 
descendants. — See Dr. William Smith's Dictionary of the Bible, "Gomer." 
Cinnncria and Grimea are named in this connection. Dr. Haight, of Trinity 
Church. New York, remembered Dr. Montgomery as Rector of Cirace 
Church, New York, in his own boyhood. His loving treatment of children 
ga\-e him great power. His visits to the sick mother of Dr. Haight were 
also impressix'e. He was faithful in such Christ-like work. In after \-ears 
the boy, when a clergyman, foimd his former Rector a cheerful friend. 

The Annals of Dr. Sprague give an account of Rev. Dr. James Mont- 
gomery, which I condensed in my "h'arly Clergy," pp. 2y('^-28o, and will 
further abbrexiate here. "The Missionarv," in 1S34, and a touching 
letter of liisho]) G. W. Doane completed tiie narrati\c. Dr. Mont- 
gomer\- was born in l'hiladel]diia in 1787. He studied law with Judge 
ibipkinson, of I 'hiladelphia, and pi'acticed se\eral vears; but was ordained 
by Bishoi) White in 18K), becoming Rector of St. Michael's Church, Tren- 
ton. N. J. Bishop Croes ordained him to the priesthood. He became 
Rector of Grace Church, New York, and subseqtiently, in 1822, the first 
Rector of St. Stephen's, Pliiladelphia. Illness attacketl this good man, 
and he toiled be^'ond his strength. On the last Sunday of 1833, ^^^ preached 
with striking earnestness and solenmity. The next week he was attacked 
with a hemorrhage of the lungs, but was resigned to God's will, and showed 
that he felt the force of the truths he had taught to others. He died on 
March 17th, .\. D. 1834. The first wife of Dr. Montgomery was Eliza Den 
nis Teackle, of the Eastern Shore of X'irginia, and his second wife was Mary 
Harrison White, whose lather was Tlu)nias 11. White, ]\^(\.. son of the 
Bisho]i. The Rev. Win. White Montgomery and Thomas H. Montgomery 
are the children of this lady. He was a peacemaker. His life was worn 
out in Christian labor: and his forcible preaching strained a feeble body 
almost bursting with its Divine message, as he lured men heavenward. 

Bishoj) Doane was sent for when his friend was dying, and saw a scene 
to delight angels, as the man of God lay on his death-bed, holding his be- 
loved prayer-book. His countenance was peaceful and joyful as he wel- 



30J RURAL PENNSYU'AMA. 

coined the Bishoj), and declared liimsclf "])crfectly liappv." His wife and 
family were present, and prayers and hynms were brisi'lilenins:;- the sick-room 
with a hea\enly s^kiw. As the wife, trembling- with emotion, at her hus- 
band's re(|nest. read "Welcome. Sweet Day of Rest," the dying man replied, 
"Yes, welcome, welcome, welcome, blessed day, day of peace and rest, and 
holv jov!" Pie continued to comment on each line, as he thouglit of Christ 
rising- from the tomb to be the light and glory of the world, and to re\-ive 
the hearts of the faithful with liope, and rejoice their eyes. He prayed 
to the "Blessed Jesus," that He would bring all who did not know Him 
"into the sjilendid circle of lliv glorv." His ]iathctic fer\-ors surpassed 
description, ".\nother six days" work is done" was read, and thus com- 
mented on. He then read it to himself, and sang it low. but clearly, asking 
the Bishop to join him in the ]3o.\olog_\-. and to give the blessing, to which 
he responded, "Amen, Amen." He called on the Piislioi) to bear witness 
that he died "iu the faith of the T.ord Jesus Christ." putting his "trust for 
])ardon" in His merits and death. He acknowledged his sinfulness, but de- 
clared that he was set u])cjn the "Rock of Ages, the Lord Jesus Christ," 
to whom all imist come for sah'ation. He asked to receive the Holy Cdm- 
nnuiion, which was administered that day to him by Bishop Onderdonk. 
I-fe fervently received the broken body and shed blood of Christ, saying 
that he then "discerned the Lord's body" as ne\er before, and confided as 
trul\' in his S;i\iour as if he "saw Him in His glor\-." .\s lie grew weaker, 
he continued singing hynuis, until the faltering tongue refused its duty 
here, waiting to resume it in Paradise. At last the moans ceased, and pain- 
lessly he closed his earthly journey. A jirayer arose in the chamber of death 
for comfort to the toilers left in this woi'ld of disap])oint ment and separation. 
The sacred Lord's day had just ])assed into the morning of the following 
(':i\ when the relief came, but the freed si)irit was learning that "There re- 
n-i;uneth. therefore, a rest iliter;dl\- a Sabbath-kee])ing-i, to the people of 
Cod." lleb. 4 : <). 

"Tni-: \Ti.i.\." (iui;i-:.\ Hill. — The real lover of nature, as he tra\els 
westw;n-d on the ni;iin line of the Pennsvl\-ania Railroad, will not fail to 
obserxe that tlie countr_\- grows more .and more beantiftd ;is the dist;uice 
from the city increases. l"oi" the first fifteen miles he seems to be ])assing 
through a contimious snbtn-b;in \illage: for the next fifteen, through a cotm- 
try f;u" surpassing in beauty and attractiveness .'uiy within the same dis- 
t;mce of Phil;i(lel]ihi;i. Rising gradually in ;dtitude tmtil it re;iches ;in ele- 
vation of more than 300 feet aboxe tide-water, the landsca])e ])rescnts a 
mayiiificent rolling- coimtr\-, stretching otit in e\-ery direction in huge un- 
dulations to a far distant horizon, the foregronn<l anil mid-distance filled 



n 
c 

G 




RURAL PEXNSVLl-ANIA. 305 

with the varied beauty of wooded hills, ravines, and cultivated fields, while 
the distant sky-line seems to Ijeckon to a point where even greater l)eaut\ 
may be seen beyond. At Frazer, where there opens out a magnificent view 
of the fertile Chester Valley, lying below like a vast garden basking in the 
sunshine, the West Chester Branch leaves the main line, and climbs the 
wooded hillside to the crest of the hills, where the water-slied is on one side 
through the Chester Valley to the Schu}lkill, and on the other through the 
valley of the Brandy wine to the Delaware. Green Hill is four miles from 
Frazer, and less than three from West Chester, and is about an hour's ride 
from Philadel])hia. Here, a few years ago, Messrs. Thomas H. Mont- 
gomery, Samuel \Vagner, Dallas Sanders, Hampton L. Carson, and a few 
others, bought a large tract of land, which they have improved for building 
]iurposes by good roads and tree planting, and here, on a hill commanding 
a magnificent view in almost every direction, Mr. AVagner has Ijuilt his 
house, a y\c\v of which is presented to our readers. The house is S(ime\\hat 
like an Italian \illa in architecture, and was designed 1)\' the talented archi- 
tect, Mr. Lindley Jolmstm. It stands upon the top of a hill, 550 feet abo\-e 
tide-water, facing the south, and protected on the north by a fine piece of 
woods. As one stands on the terrace on the west side of the house, there is 
]iresented an extended view of a fine rolling country, as far as even the Welsh 
Mountains, while to the southwest and south are West Chester, and the 
Brandy wine Hills beyond. A drive over the lands of the association of 
gentlemen we have named shows a succession of Iniilding sites, each seeming 
to be more beautiful thati the last, commanding views of vast distance and 
charming foreground in ever\' direction. Surely it cannot be long before 
these beautiful hill-tops will be crowned with gentlemen's country houses, 
for nowhere within an hour's ride from town is there a finer landscape, or 
more healthy air. These gentlemen ha\'e wisel_\' planned that a large ])art 
of the whole property shall constitute a park, and that the woodlands, 
meadows, and lake shall be for the common use of those who improve the 
building sites. In these latter days, when fashion in its imperial sway car- 
ries its votaries in sleeping-cars to distant sea-coast in summer time, where 
])art of the family lives in crowded hotels, while the bread-winners nmst stay 
])erforce in the hot and unhealthy city, it may be well worth while to con- 
sider whether it would not be wiser to return to the good old fashion of our 
grandfathers, and, in a modest countr\- place, within an hour's ride from 
town, find that healthy family life, and that contentment and repose, which 
can only be secured in a really rural ])lace, under one's own \'inc and fig 
tree. 



3o6 



RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 



THE WEST CH1-:STEK PIKE AXD LAXSDOWNE. 

-THE FAR.Ml'lR OF TILSBURV VALE."— Wokuswortii. 

"Mid coaches and chariots a wagon of straw. 
Like a magnet, the heart of old Adam can draw; 
With a thousand soft pictures his memory will teem. 
And liis hearing is touched with the sounds of a dream." 

"Up the Haymarket Hill he oft whistles his way, 
Thrusts his hand in a wagon, and smells at the hay; 
He thinks of the fields he so often hath mow-n. 
And is happy, as if the rich freight w'ere his own." 

"But chielly to Smithfield he loves to repair. 
If you pass hy at morning, you'll meet with liim there: 
The breath of cows you may see him inhale. 
And his heart all the while is in Tilsbury Vale." 

Tlie W est Cliester Pike hegins at tlie western teniiimis of Market 
Street at Co1)l)"s Creek, and leads thence to \\'est Chester, followino' tlie 




West Chestkr 1'ike Mail W.\gon. 



p^encral course of the okl pro\'incial ln\L;li\\a\ , laid out in 1770. from Middle 
Eerry (Market Street) on the Schuylkill l\i\er to the \illai;e of Strasl)iu\g'. 

Cobb's Creek was called Korakunj;' in the Indian lanj^uat^e according' to 
Cani]);uiins. the younger. It was also styled Water Mill Stream, as suitable 
for mills; and Ciovernor Prints had a mill built on it. the first in the region 
grinding "both fine and coarse Hour," going "early and late," near ISlue 
Pell Tavern, Darby, the Swede's Mill. I'lie remains are still shown by 
holes in the stones. 

Cobb's Creek is named from William Cobb, who bought the Swedes 
Mill on this creek from a Swedish company. 



RURAL PENNSVLrJXlA. 307 

For many a year the milk \vae;^on. witli a green body and black 
cnrtains, witli its yellow letters indicating the t)\\ner's name, was the most 
striking object on the West Chester Pike, and the early morning, or rather 
night hour, saw the dri\'cr on his round, while the later ])art of the da\' be- 
held the ])atient man sleepily returning to his country home. Now the 
strange sight of a trolley whirling by country lields has changed all this, antl 
electric inxention has conciuered. The former tra\eler waited for a daily 
stage to Newtown Square, or shared a kind farmer's wagon, or trudged 
afoot, counting milestones, and seeking shelter if rain ox'crtook him. 1 
speak not without experience. 

Trolley to C.\ruv the M.ml. — From the Ihirby Rroi^irss, Mav _'oth, 
1896: 

"The jiresent method of delivering the mail throughout this section 
has been in \ogue e\er since the establishment of the post-offices at West- 
Chester and intermediate jioints, this being the original mail rciute between 
Philadelphia and West Chester. As a souvenir of the last of the old star 
route we ])resent to our readers the above illustration of the mail 'coach' 
which has coin-eyed Uncle Sam's mails u]) an<l down the pike for the past 
si.x months. This was made from a "snap-shot" of the "rig' at Upper 
Darby Post-Office last Monday. As will 1)e observed, the driver is a colored 
woman, the wife of \A'illiam Gratton, who for less than $1.00 a dav has car- 
ried the mail since last November. The small salary received bv the sub- 
contractor for the service rendered accounts for the shabby and dilapidated 
appearance of the team. 

"There was a time. howe\er, when the carrying of the mail along this 
thoroughfare was a ]iaying business. Passengers and exjjress packages 
were carried to any point along the pike, and good jirices were realized, as 
it was the only public means of transportation. The mail coach passenger 
and express business went to ])ieces when William F. Suite Ijegan to run 
a much more modern and comfortable stage from Newtown Sijuare to the 
William Penn Hotel, in West Philadel])hia. Originally mail from the city 
was received along this route every other day. The stage would go from 
the city to W'est Chester one day and back the next. This condition 
existed up to or less than twenty-five years ago, when the route was divided 
at Newtown Square, and at present the West Chester coach meets the 
Philadel])hia coach at Newtown Square every daw Jacol) Snell, it is said, 
ran the best coach along the pike during the history of the star route. He 
had accommodations for ten or twelve passengers, and besides carried 
numerous express packages. During the celebrated blizzard of iSSS Mr. 
Snell took the mail on horseback over the route. 'Kittv' McGowaiL a 



5o8 RURAL PENXSVLrAXJA. 

young girl in licr teens, was at one time a popular driver of the mail coach. 
Kitty al\va\s carried a seven-shooter along to defend Uncle Sam's mail. 
Rack in the 70's. when the epizootic was i)la\ing such havoc with the people 
around Philadel|)liia. P. K. Jjloom carried the mail on foot from V\hh and 
Chestnut Streets to Xewtown Scjnare. Hugh Jones was then the sub-con- 
tractor. Every imaginable sort of vehicle has been used in the transmis 
sion of the mail along this route, from a road cart to a stage-coach. The 
present rig, which goes out of ser\ice to-morrow, is liy no means the worst 
looking mail wagon that has been in service at times on the pike. 

"There are now five post-olifices on this end of the route. Upper Darby, 
Manna, .Xdele, Brooniall. and Xewtown. With one exception all of the 
postmasters bear the name of Moore. Thirty-fi\e years ago the Ujjper 
Darby office was located at the Howard House, John Hawkins l)eing the 
postmaster. W. S. P. Shields succeeded Mr. Hawkins as ]>ostmaster, ami 
the office was mo\ed to P. R. ISloom's harness shop, and for a lime .Mr. 
Bloom was assistant postmaster to Mr. Shields. Mr. Bloom was ai)])ointed 
postmaster in 1871. and served until Joseph Stroud was appointed. The 
latter moved the office back tt) the Howard House. During Mr. Stroud's 
incumbency the office was discontinued. When \'. E. Bond began the 
feed business at his present location, in November, 1873, he made apjilica- 
tion for the re-establishment of the office, and on ]\Iarch 23d, 1870. received 
his commission. He hekl the position of postmaster until June 5th, 1889, 
when the present incumbent, W. S. Moore, was appointed. 

"Haverford, or what is now known as ]\Ianoa Post-Office, was first 
established at the l-Lagle Hotel. William Bittle, one of Haverford's es- 
teemed citizens, held the position of postmaster there from 1841 to 1847, 
when the office was removed to what was then known as the Bear Hotel, 
about a half mile further uji the pike. \\'il!iam ^^ Stackhousc was post- 
master there fm' a number of }ears. until the oflice was moved to its present 
location. Here the different ])ro])rietors of the store occujiied the position 
from time to time. The present official. S. H. Moore, recei\ed his com- 
mission as postmaster in July, 1881. Snon after ap])1ication was made ior 
the change of the name nf the {ilTice. and in !88_' it became Maima. .\dele 
Post-Office. which is located in the grist-mill at Darby Creek, was estab- 
lished less than four years ago, and i\. B. Lcedom, the ])r()])riet()r of the 
mill, has been ])ostmaster during its existence. Brooniall was first estab- 
lished when the late Jnhn .M . PirDoniall re])resented this district in Congress. 
l'"rom him it derived its name. It has been ])residcd over by different store 
kecjjers where it is located, Philiii Moore, who has held the position for 
several years, being the present incumbent. 



R URA L PESNS YLW-l XI A . 



309 



"Xcwtiiwn S([uai"e is an iilil-estal)lislie(l ofrtce, and is now comluctcMl 
by Preston L. Moore, who has held the position of postmaster for several 
years. There are three offices on the [like hetween Newtown and W'esr 
Chester, Edgmont, W'illistown Inn, and Milltown. These will still be 
served by coach from West Chester." 

The author of this book wrote in the Fraiikford Herald. "The Passing 
of the Dummies," after they had been moxed to the West Chester Pike, 
l)cfore the trollies were useil, and will extract here a ])art of that article: 

"Market Street, Philadelphia, prolonged leads to West Chester. We 
start out on a hot day on a trolley with its cool breeze to Si.Kty-third Street. 
Here is a bridge over Cobb's Creek, the city boundary. Haddington lies 




iMlLLIlOURNK MlLLb. 



at our right; the trollev car turns and goes thither. .\. ])lcasant stream, 
bordered by meadow land and a rising hill, adjoin the famous Millbourne 
Mills, and a picturesque scene is before the eye. In A. D. 1690, the emi- 
grant, Samuel Sellers, bought this property from \\'i]h';uii I'enn. In 1757 
John Sellers. 1st, a grandscMi of Samuel, built the lirst mill here, and ti\-e 
barrels of Hour a day could be made. In 1X14 the second mill was built bv 
John Sellers, Jd, and it was conducted by John Sellers, 3d, as lessee and 
owner for a period of about lift}' years. Twenty to fort\' barrels of flour a 
day could then be manufactured. In 1869 the mill was enlarged, and im- 
proved machinery and steam made a capacity of fifty barrels a dav. Other 
improvements followed, until in 1888 the five-barrel capacitv of 17^7 had 



;io 



R URA L PENNS YL I 'A NIA . 



increased to 350 liarrels a day." Since tliis was written tlie output of tlie 
mill lias l)een still further increased, until now ( 1S97) its capacity is six bun- 
dled liarrels of flour a (la\-. The original mill was built of stone, but the 
most recent additions are of timber, covered with steel shingles, and include 
the elevator cajjable of handling 40,000 bushels of grain. 

The Bl'rd Ori'h.\n .\svlum. By Rev. Simmerfield E. Snivelv. 
Warden. — This noble institution stands as the permanent evidence of the 
kind heart and generous intentions, and is a perpetual and living monu- 
ment to the beloved memory of its sole foundress and benefactor, Mrs. Eliza 
Howard Burd. Eliza Howard, daughter of W'ooddrop and Sarali Sims, 




BuRi) OuriiAN Asylum, 6;d and Market Streets. 



was married to Edward Shij^pen r)ur(l in Ehil;idelphia, their native city, 
August 20th, iSio. ( )f the eight children born to them only three sur- 
\-ived infanc\'. Thex', too, died in ern"l\' life, mid were soon followed by theii' 
father, September 17th, WS49. Left thus a childless widow, bereft of all 
that made life sweet and attractive, I\lrs. Burd determined tliat her own 
great loss should redoimd to the benefit of others, and under the guidance 
and ad\icc of Hr. I)uch;ichct, then Rector of St. Stephen's Church, decided 
to establish a refuge for the children of other desolated homes. In evi- 
dence of her loving intention her will declares: "With a deeji sympathy for 
suffering huin;niity, and niindf\d of the l)i\ine declaration that 'the needy 



RURAL PEMMSYWANIA. 3' I 

sliall not always l)e forgotten, tin.' cxiiectation of the poor shall not ])erisli 
forever,' after anxiously and i)ra\erfull\ considering- in what manner 1 can 
best dcN'ote the wealth with which 1 am intrusted for the good of ni\' fel- 
low-beings, and in the belief that the greatest good with the least of evil 
can ])e thus accomplished, I ha\e determined to establish an asylum for 
ori)han children." She ga\-e not only her means but herself to the work. 
It was a labor of love from its very inception. Two frame buildings in 
Sansoni Street, near Ninth Street, in the rear of her spacious home and beau- 
tiful gartlen. were secured. Here the children were under her personal 
supervision, and she catered to them with her own hands, with an ever-in- 
creasing solicitude and interest. Here were laid the foundations of the 
nobler enterprise which find their culminations in the magnificent and 
efficient institution of to-day. The twehe little girls under her care then 
became the nucleus of the family, .and the first occupants of the ])resent 
home. Several valuable ideas were the outgrowth of Mrs. Burd's personal 
experience; the non-mixing of se.xes: a home for children of the better 
class; admission of children at a teniler age, while their minds were still 
pliable and easily molded, and 1)efore objectionable h.abits of life h.ad be- 
come firmly fixed. 

So she established a home primarily lor the orph.an daughters of the 
clergy of the I'rotestant l'",])iscopal Church, to be admitted between the 
ages of four ami eight, and kept until eighteen years of age. She declares 
in her will, "all the children received into the Asylum shall be faithfully 
instructed, as a part of their education, in the principles of the precious 
Gospel o{ Christ as they are taught and held in the Protestant Episcopal 
Church of the Unitetl States; that no other system of religion shall be taught 
there, and that all the worshi]) held therein sh.all be according to the ritual 
of the said Church, and no other." Ha\ing arranged the material and 
si)iritu;d interests of her little family, and provided for the larger still to 
come, she lay down the burden of this life, and ]iassed to her blessed rest 
in the Paradise of God. on ( iood Friday, April 6th, .\. D. iS6o. Ixequiescat 
in pace! In 1863 the present buildings were opene<l. and the little newh- 
orphaned family of twelve was transferred to its new home. 

The Asylum is built in the early English Gothic style of architecture, 
under one continuous roof, in the shape of a Greek cross. It makes a group 
at once stiiking. dignified. ;ind at t i'.-icti\-e. .\ beautiful chapel, seating 3:;o, 
with apjiropriate memorial windows to Mrs. P.urd and Dr. Duchachet. and 
a large reception-room, filled with chaste and elegant furniture, fine china, 
and many objects of interest and \;ilue .are characteristic of the institution. 

The .\s\lum is under the control of the Rector. Wardens and \'estr\- 



312 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

men of St. Stcplicn's Church. Tliey ap|)oint a resident cler<jynian, wlio is 
both chaplain and wartlen. Tlie present warden. Rev. Sumniertield E. 
Snively, M. D., entered upon his responsible duties Feljruary 15th, 1889. 
Visitors to the Asylum or chapel services are always most heartily welcome. 

We add that Rev. Dr. Francis J. Clerc and Rev. (iidcon J. I'utton ha\e 
been wardens of this noble institution. 

We add the following- concerning the wanlen from an illustrated 
article on the Asylum in the Philadelphia Saturday Review, No\ember 21st, 
A. D. 1896, prefacing the extract with the remark that seven years of 
faithful service show that he has well continued the work of his predecessors: 

"The ijresent warden. Reverend Summerfield E. Snively, M. D., took 
charge of the .\sylum in 1889. Dr. Snively is a Penns\l\anian by birth, 
and a member of the historic Culbertson family. He graduatetl fn)m Dick- 
inson College, and also from the medical department of the L'niversity of 
Pennsylvania, and after receiving his degree practiced successfully in Brook- 
lyn for a time. Me then went to Europe, and continued his medical studies 
in Gottingen and Darmstadt. Returning to America he entered the 
Divinity School at JMiddletown. Conn., and was ordained in 1S75. His 
brst ministerial charge was the rectorship of St. Paul's Church, Flatbush. 
L. 1., from which place he came to assume the very responsible position he 
now holds." 

The long, old wooden building on the hill-side on the left hand sitle of 
the road was a cocoonery. This w.is built on what was then the Sellers 
Hall Farm by James Sellers, his brother-in-law. Charles Cadwalader. 
:uid Samuel Sellers, their intention being to carry on the legitimate 
business of growing cocoons, and not to follow the ])revailing specula- 
tion in trees. Day's Historical Collections of I'ennsyhania. in describ- 
ing Bristol, gives an account of the nudticaulis fe\er, shown in the 
sale of the morns multicaulis at an auction in iNjjc;. at lligblield Cocoonerv. 
(jermantown. Trees were sold in the ground, the avereage height being 
about two and a half feet. Purchasers were mostly from distant points. 
Illinois, and MissoiuM. and Western States furnishing the greater number; 
■■jdo.ooo trees were sold at prices x.arying from \j}, to 37^ cents per tree — 
averaging 31 23-100 cents per tree, or \2\ cents per foot in length of st.alk. 
The total sale was $81,218.75. — Hazard's U. S. Statistical Register, i83()." 
About the same time these trees brought 50 cents at Columbia, Pa., at a 
sale: and at Cnion\ille, Pa.. 40 cents, "averaging four feet." At West Ches- 
ter, Pa., 10 cents per foot w;is ])ai(l. In Southern States some trees l)rought 
$1 apiece. .\ Jersey nurseryman ad\ertised 30.000 trees at 25 per cent, 
cash for 1 .000 or more, the balance to remain on bond ;uid mortgage. ".Mr. 



> 




RURAL PENNSYWANIA. 



.i'3 



Morris's 'Silk Fanner." puhlisliod in i'hiladclphia. Sejitcmhcr, 1S39, after 
enumerating- many actual sales, gives as the proceeds of fifteen acres. 
$32,500; of other two acres, $8,000; of other ten acres, $38,000." ()\er 
300,000 trees were reported as sold in a week, and the jirice advanced, 
though the money pressiu-e dcjiressed the prices of flour and of cotton. 
'J'rees were sold before liaxing attained their growth. Feojjle were wild in 
ex])ecting profit, and it was believed that the entire country would l)e 
luxuriant with nmllierry trees, and it was supposed that farms would need 
from live to twent\- acres of these trees as much as the same number of 
mcadowland or of woods. The l>ul)l)]c broke at last, and some gained and 
others lost in the wild siieculation, though the manufacture of silk pro- 
gressed afterward. A notice of the Ciermantown Cocoonery is given in my 
History of Germantown (pp. 230, 231). It is on Morton Street, and was 
built by Philip Syna Physick, son of Dr. Physick. Germantown was then full 
of multicaulis trees, one of w'hich remained in St. Michael's churchyard in 
1 ligh Street. The Cocoonery, a one-story building, w'as enlarged by adding 
a second story, and used as a boarding-house. The mulberry tree and the 
silk industry have had a wonderful liistory, as they have traveled together 
through the ages from their home in China to Persia and Turkey antl 
Greece and Italy- The white and red berries of the trees, which had shone 
under the sunlight in France and Si)ain, enli\ened the streets of German- 
tow 11 for a time, and then tlejiarted. 

Siu.i.KRS H.\LL. By IIoR.\CE W". Skller.s. — After leaving the city 
line at Col)b's Creek, the West Chester l-load passes westward for the dis- 
tance of about a mile through what was for nearly two centuries the prop- 
erty of the Sellers family. The original tract, consisting of one hundred 
acres, was granted in I'x^o by jjatent to Samuel Sellers, who had held it 
prior to that time tmder a rental from \\'illiani Penn. It included the 
two small farms of fifty acres each upon which George and Samuel Sellers 
settled after their arrival in the Province in 1682. They were brothers, 
and came from l>el])er, in Derbyshire, England, the home of the family for 
many generations. Sanniel. the }-ounger. was a member of the Societv 
of Friends, and his marriage with Anna Gibbons in 1084 is the first reconled 
in the minutes of Darin' Meeting. .\nna ( iibbons was a daughter of Henry 
Gil)bons. who came from Derbyshire, f'jigiand, some say in the same \-esseI 
with Samuel Sellers, and settled in Darby Township. 

George and Samuel Sellers jointly built and occupied the dwelling 
that now forms part of the old homestead, still standing, and known until 
recent rears as "Sellers Hall." Tlie general plan of the house is in the form 
of an "T.." with semi-detached out-buildings, forming in all a picturesque 



3i6 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

group. Tlie oldest portion faces the south, and from this front tlie lawn 
slopes to a terrace wall that se]oarates the higher ground of the garden from 
meadow land thnnigh which thiws "Naylor's Run." It is said that in build- 
ing this wall the workmen came upon a fireplace with fragments of a 
blackened hearth and charcoal, the remains of what was supposed to have 
been the cave or dug-out in which the settlers lived in 1682 before their 
house was completed. 

In ir;86 George Sellers died, and in the settlement of his estate his 
property passed into the hands of his brother. There is a tradition that 
he was about to be married, and was then engaged in building a house for 
himself not far from Sellers Hall, on what is known as Walnut Hill, where 
the unfinished walls could be seen until within the present century. The 
m\-sterv surrounding his sudden death, the pecvdiar circumstances con- 
nected with the discovery of his bc;)dy. and the sul)se(|uent appearance of 
his ghost to his brother, form the subject of some of the traditions that 
are associated with the old homestead. 

Of Samuel Sellers it is recorded that "as a man he was upright and 
just in his dealings; as a Friend he was attentive tn his religious duties, 
and submissive to the discipline of the Society." .Vlt hough he had to con- 
tend with the difficulties, and doubtless the hardships of pioneer life, he 
prospered by perseverance, industry and thrift, and besides establishing his 
business of wea\ing, to be followed in it liv his son, he was able to improve 
and considerably extend his plantation. In ifuji he purchased seventy-tive 
acres to the north of the original tract, and sul)se(|uent accessions still 
further enlarged the estate, lie died in 173-', but pre\iousl_\- transferred 
much of his land to his only surviving son, Samuel Sellers, Jr.. who thus 
succeeded to the ownership of Sellers Hall. He, the son, seems to have 
shown especial ability in advancing the manufacturing interests of the es- 
tate, and is said to have gaineil a wide reputation both as a coverlet and 
camlet \\ca\er, ;md for his invention of an ingenious machine for twisting 
worsted. In 1712 he married Sarah, daughter of John and Eleanor l)(>ll)v 
Smith, both ministers in the Society of Friends at l^arby. Of their three 
tons who grew to manhood, Sanuiel (,vl). the eldest, removed after his 
marri.'ige in 1737 to West l>radford Townshi]), in Chester Countv, and 
Jose])h, the second son, also settled away from the homestead. John 
Sellers, the xoungest son, however, followed in the footsteps of his fathei- 
and grandfather, and in due course came into possession of Sellers Hall and 
the farm, together with the mills operated in connection with it. Besides 
extending the estate still further 1)\- the purchase of land, he improved and 
enlarged the system of mill races and d;nns to operate his vari(nis industries. 



RURAL PENNSYLrANlA. 3^7 

He was a man of considerable mechanical skill and intelliijence, and having 
introduced wire weaving as a department of his business, he undertook 
the manufacture of appliances for its use. Me is thus supposed to have 
been the first in America to make rolling screens, and sieves for cleaning 
tlax. wheat, etc., and eventually he abandoned ordinary weaving for the 
wire-working industry he had thus established. 

Besides the attention given to his manufacturing interests and farm, 
John Sellers gained prominence as land surveyor, and his ability in this di- 
rection found public recognition in his appointments upon important com- 
missions to fix boundaries, lay out highways, and consider numerous public 
improvements. In his Ihirty-fifth year he was elected to the Provincial 
Assembly to represent Chester County, and served from i7'»7 to 1771. He 
was one of the original members of the American Philosophical Society, 
and was appointed bv that hadv one of a committee with David Ritten- 
hou.se. Dr. William Smith, and John Lukens to oliserve the transit of Venus 
in 1769. In 1774 he was one of the Boston Port Bill Committee, and 
Deputy from Chester County to the Provincial Port Bill Convention held 
at Philadel])bia, and his acti\e symjiathy in the cause of the Colonies dur- 
ing the Revolutit)n caused him to be disowned from membershi]i in the 
Societ)' of Friends. He was elected a member of the First Assemb!_\' after 
the close of the war, but declined to serve, being opposed to the principle 
of vesting the legislative power in one body. In 1783 he was appointed 
a Commissioner with David Rittenhouse ami Thomas Hutchings to con- 
sider a plan for opening communication between the .Schuylkill and Sus- 
quehanna Rivers, and amongst other conunissions upon which he served 
was that which determined the line dividing Chester and Delaware Coun- 
ties. He was a member for Delaware County of the convention that formed 
the Constitution of Pennsylvania, and in 1790 was elected State Senator. 
Prior to this he was appointed by the Convention one of the .\ssociate Jus- 
tices of the County Court, but resigned. 

John Scllers's successful career bears testimony to his intellectual at- 
tainments, his well-directed energy, and unselfish ])ublic spirit. He was 
a man of strong will and fixed determination, possessing at all times the 
courage of his convictions. He married in 1745 Ann Gibson, the eldest 
daughter of Nathan Gibson and Ann Blunston (ncc Hunt), of Kingsess. 
Upon his death in 1804 the first division in the estate took jilace. His 
youngest son. George Sellers, inherited the Sellers Hall homestead and 
the largest portion of the land south of the \\'est Chester Road, which 
has since been disposed of by his descendants. The iirincijial tract 
still remaining in the familv is that on the north side c)f the West Chester 



;i8 



A^ i 'RJ L PEXXS ) 'L I \l XL I . 



Road, hccjuealhcd 1)_\ Joliii Sellers to his son Jnlni {ji\). and now inchnled 
in the "^Millhourne" estate. It was thi.^; second John Sellers who hnilt 
■'1 loodland." and with his son. also J(.)hn, iniproxed the old yrist mill 
propert}- and laid the ftnmdation for the present Alillhourne .Mills. 

MiLLBOURNE. — John Sellers, the third of the name in direct succe.;- 
sion, and son of John Sellers, of "Hoodland," occupied the old house near 
tiie Millbourne Mill, owned h\' his father, ruid used as the resilience of the 
miller. It was built in the last century, of lo<^s. hut im])rove(l and enlarged 
at various tiiues. antl when the new mill was huilt. in 1814, and John Sellers, 




Ki.MiiKNc r. 111- JuiiN Skli.kks, 311, FROM 1S17 Til 1S58. Pkk.seni Ow.nku, 
Wm. Sellkrs, His Hides r Sun. 



the soil, undertook the inanaocnieul of it. this oriL;in;il .\l illliournc House 
was made h.aliitahle for him .as his pernianeut residence. Mere he hrou^hl 
his hride in I N i - with some misoi\ intjs, fearini;' that she would he dissatis- 
lied with liis ])rimiti\e ahode. She w;is the eldest daughter of \\ m. I'oole. 
ol Wilmington. l)elaware. a highly inlellectu.al man. who had made her his 
close com]);miou ;ill through her girlhood. She left a lar^e and conj^'enial 
circle in her own famiU and friends to make this muirelentious house 
at Alillhourne her home, hut she hroui^iu into it a spirit of cheerful 
coiUent and coura_<;e which hecame an inspiration to her husband through- 



X 




RURAL PEXXSVLJ'.IXL-l. 321 

out liis life. Here tlie\' lived most lia])|)ily for forty-one years, ami had 
ele\en ehildreii horn to them. Three of these died in infancy: the remain- 
ing eight outlived their parents many years, no deaths occurring among 
them for over seventy rears, when the first horn, Mary S. Bancroft, tlied 
in December, 1894. 

This old house, the hai)])\' home of the family for so long, has been 
changed to accommodate two tenants, and though many modern improve- 
ments iiave l)een introduced, it has lost much of its picturesqueness. It is 
now owned by William Sellers, the eldest son. 

In 1850 a small cottage tenement house was built in what was then 
an almost open field on the site of the present iMillbourne House. This 
cottage was occupied for one summer by John Sellers. 4th, who sought it 
for the sake of his little children. The grand])arents were greatly attracted 
by its pleasant and airy surroundings, and were eventually led, in 183S, to 
build the house which became the second Millbourne home (shown in 
illustration), and is now owned anil occupied by John Sellers, 4th, with his 
familw 

The jilanning and building of this house was largelv under the direction 
of Mrs. Sellers, the mother of the present occupant. She greatly enjoyed 
the self-imposed task, in which she had the able assistance of John M. (iries. 
a young and promising architect, who ga\e his life for his country in the 
War of the Rebellion. 

The house was linished and occu]Metl in the fall of 1858, but Mrs. 
Sellers's enjoyment of it as a home was of short duration, as her tleath oc- 
curred on the 3d of January, 1859. 

After the death of his wife John Sellers. 3d. li\ed in this house 
with his umuarried daughter Martha for nearly twenty years, until 
his death in July. 1878. This daughter, who remained with her father as 
care-taker and companion, was devoted to this countr_\- home. She helyjed 
to select and locate the trees, which now. j^erfect in their i:)ro]3ortions. orna- 
ment the lawn, and in this regard she is largely resi>onsible for the l)eauty 
of the place. To the rising generation "Millbourne" is the old homestead, 
and it is a source of pride and pleasure that it has never passed out of the 
family, and that it is still occupied by those of the name. 

1 l()(Hii..\Nn. I)V S.\iMi'EL Sellers. — This fine old country mansion, 
handsomely situated on the State Road south of the West Chester Turn- 
pike, was built in the year 1823 by John Sellers, son of John Sellers ( t ) and 
.\nn (iibson. John Sellers {2) was l)orn at Sellers Hall, the near-by home- 
stead of the Sellers family, whicli his ancestor, who probably came over in 
the ship "\\'elcome," but certainl\- in one of the several \-essels arriving at 



322 R[ -h'A L PENXS ) L I 'J MA . 

that time, had huih. and whicli still stands in a good state of preservation 
He was a brother of Xathan, Da\id. and Cieorsjc Sellers, the latter of whom 
(the youngest of the four brothers) inherited the old homestead. Xathan. 
David, and John married three sisters, daughters of Joseph Coleman, of 
Philadelphia, who resided at the corner of Water Street and Tun Allev. 
when that locality contained the homes of many of Philadelphia's promi- 
nent citizens, and a portion of the back buildings of the old 
house still stands. John Sellers learned the art of tanning and currving 
leather, and after reaching manhood he carried the business on 
in Philadelidiia. Retiring from liusiness in middle life, he bought 
a farm, upon which he built his new country house. He at 
.'Irst occupied the old farm-house known as "'W ay Side." which still stands 
on the old Pike Road, at the foot of what is known as the "lUack Horse 
Hill." This long. stee]i hill took its name from the old I'.lack Horse 
Tavern, which for many years stood there, a pleasant stopi)ing i)lacc for 
the farmers of Delaware and Chester County on their wax- to the I'liila- 
delpliia markets. The taxern was ujion the Hoodland pro|)crt\-. and 
John Sellers, to disencom'age the use of intoxicants, did awav with the 
bar, converting it into a temi)erance house. He was the first farmer 
ill the neighborhood to discontinue the use of licpiors in the har\-est held. 
Ifoodlancl House stands upon the hrst high ridge of ground back from the 
Atlantic Ocean. It is the ridge u]ion which stands Attleborough (now 
known as Langliorne), Piucks County, running out on the south near Ches- 
ter and Delaware County, and from it can be seen the distant Delaware and 
Jersey hills. The original Hoodland h'arm joins the jiroiierty upon which 
the University of Pennsylvania has recently erected the Idower Observa- 
tory. John Sellers was a ])lain. straightforward man. ne\er afraid to ex- 
press an honcsth' held o])inioii. \ el not gi\en to thrust his \iews upon 
others in a dogmatic way. lie disliked |)retense. and was singularly 
simple in his tastes and habits. lie willed the old Hoodland Farm 
to his daughter Elizabeth, wife of Abraham P. Tennock. and sister 
of John Sellers. Jr. iji,). the father of \\'illi;nn. John, and Xathan 
Sellers, owners of the Millbourne Mills and adjoining ])roperty on the West 
Chester Pike, near Sixty-third and Market Streets. John Sellers (3) had 
been ap])renticed to the Hour business bv his father. John Sellers, of Hood- 
l.'ind. ;ind hail been set up b\- him in the \'e;ir 1S14 in the milling busi- 
ness in the old .Millbourne .Mill, then o])erated b\- water exclusively. This 
John Sellers, the miller, brother of Mrs. Penuock. was a genial, interest- 
ing, and nmch-respected man. lie was imobtrusise. with many line quali- 
ties of both head and he.art. and possessed of great acti\ity to the last. He 



RURAL PEXXSVLr.iXI.}. 325 

died in his 89th year, .\l3ral1am L. Peiinock and his wife made Hoodland 
tiieir home tlie latter years of their Hves, coming- there during- John Sellers's 
(2) lifetime, as he had become a great sutterer. totally hlind, and wanted 
his daughter with him. .Vfter Hoodland became the property of his wife. 
Abraham L. I'ennock built the Howard House at the five-mile stone op- 
posite the old temperance Black Horse Inn, then abamloned as a tavern, and 
converted into a dwelling, now known as "Ledgely," and once occupied by 
I. Morris Lewis. This propert)- is now owned by Abraham L. I'ennock, the 
well-known florist of Lansdowne, whose city establishment is at Fifteenth 
and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia. A great efifort was being made to 
establish upon a near-by property a licensetl farmers' and drovers' tavern, 
and just at this juncture the Howard House was con-i]5leted and leased as a 
first-class temperance hostelry. Abraham L. Pennock. who was a prominent 
member of the Society of Friends in Philadelphia, became early in life in- 
terested in the question of human slaxery, and was an active and interested 
member of the old "Penn.sylvania Anti-Slavery Society," being at one time 
Vice-President thereof. \\'hen a jiortion of those opposed to slavery or- 
ganized as a political party he cast his lot with them, and was ever after what 
was termed "a voting Abolitionist" in contradistinction to the Moral 'Sua- 
sion Abolitionist. He was one of the two or three only who cast their vote at 
the Darl)y polls, Delaware County, for the Free Soil party, from out of which 
little parl\- afterward came the ])resent Republican part\-. He was a man 
who had the courage of his con\-ictions. He was self-containeil, and 
not easih' mo\ed from the course which he had n-iarked out as right for him 
to pursue. He nnist be convinced of the unsoundness of his position be- 
fore he consented to abandon it. Hospitable and kind, entertaining many 
prominent men in his home, among them George Thonipson, the English 
orator: James Russell Lowell, and John (ireenleaf W'hittier. The follow- 
ing is a letter written by Mr. W'hittier to Joseph Liddon Pennock, a son 
of Abraham I,. Pennock, after his father's death: 

Amesbi-rv. 15th, 3lh. iS6<S. 

My De.\r Friend: — Thy letter informing of the death of thy hon- 
ored father has just reached me, and I thank thee for thinking of me at such 
a time. It is more than thirty years since I first knew him. He was my 
friend ancl counsellor in the dark and troul)led times of 1838-39, and 40, 
a man of antiipie heroism and integrity, against whom the violent enemies 
of freedom could find nothing to urge. I think he came nearer to n-iy idea 
of a true Christian gentleman than any other one I ever knew. How nnicli 
he did 1)\- tongue and ])en and ])ress, the influence of his noble life and clia 



326 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

acter for the cause of freedom only those who in those years were closely 
associated with him could know. He was a tower of strength to the Penn- 
sylvania Anti-Slavery Society. I wish 1 could have seen him once more. 
I sent a message to him by a Philadelphia friend who called on me a few 
weeks ago, and I hope he received it. Will thee remember me to thy sister 
Mary, and thy mother if she is still livint;-. 

Believe me \-ery truly, tli\' friend. 

John G. \\'hittier. 

In W'hiltier's "(jolden \\'cdding of Longwood" we read: ■ 

"Of John and Hannah, 
The eagle face of Lindlcy Cox, 
Coats, brave Garrett's daring zeal. 

The Christian grace of Pcnnock. tlic steadfast heart of Noall." 

All these named were well-known .\l)olitionists in their da\'. 

The old "Hoodland" mansion is now owned and occupied b)- .Mary 
Pennock Sellers, widow of David Sellers, and granddaughter of John Sellers 
(2). In 1877 tlic liouse was biu'ned, leaving the walls standing. In 1S78 it 
was rebuilt on the same plan. David Sellers and family mo\ing in when com- 
pleted. David Sellers was a grandson of Da\-id Sellers (brother of John), 
and was at one time the ownei- of ""Ilrookfield I'^arm," which lies between 
the Marshall and Garrett Roads, a short distance from Hoodland. He was a 
clear-headed, observing man, i^iossessed of many fine characteristics: he 
was an exceptional man. Many were tlie\- who went t(i him 
through his li>ng useful life for advice and interested help. 
He ne\er turned a\\a\' from an\- one. Py his neighbors he was 
thoriiughly respected. in early and middle life he had been associated 
with his father and others in the wire and leather business in Philadel])hi;i, 
to which business he ga\'e conscientious and energetic allention. .\11 con- 
nected with him im])licitly relied upon him. He was a friend in time of 
need, and a staunch friend of gootl governnuMU and jtist law. Truly it was 
said by one of the minsters at his funeral, which was ;i \ery large gathering: 
"lie was one who called e\erv man his brother." He died .\pril 13th. 
1SS7, in his 71st year. 

I add that Abr.aham P. Tennock. the brother of .Mrs. Sellers, and hi-- 
sons, Caspar and Aldrich, reside at Pansdowiic. The sons are llorists. 
Isabella P, Pennock also is a member of the Pansdowne family. 

PiDDONFiELO. Py S.xK.XH PicxNocK Sf:i,i.F.RS. — PiddiMificld Farm, 
near the West Chester I^ike, adjoining the I'.agle ]iroperty, was owned and 
occupied in Pevolution.nry limes by Abr.-ihani Piddon ;md lsabell:i .She])- 



RUM J I. I'HNNS 1 "L / 'A XI A . 327 

herd, his wife. A silver tankanl is still in the possession of their tle- 
scendants which was Iniricd at LiddnnfK'ld to keep it from the st)ldiers. 

Abraham Liddon and wife were in the <\r\ yoods business in Phila- 
delphia. They s|)ent most of their li\es there, dx'ini.;' on Third Street, near 
Arch, 'idiey were the maternal grandparents of Al)raham L. I'ennock, 
He grew up in their family, his mother, Mary Liddon, dying when little over 
twenty years of age. His father was George Pennock, of Philadelphia, who 
afterward married Sarah \\'ist;ir. Dr. Casjiar W. I'ennock, of I lowelKille, 
Edgenu)nt Townshii>, Delaware C'nnnty, was the child of i;e<.)rge I'ennock 
and Sarah W'istar. 

Abraham P. Pennock inherited the Piddontield propert)' from his 
grandparents. The small house, with hip-roof, still standing on the farm 
they had lived in, but when he reached middle life he built another house 
on the land, and moved from Twelfth Street, near ALnrket, to it. .\t that 
time Plaverford Township was nnich more countr\--like than now, and it 
was said that ".Vbraham L. Pennock builded on the backbone of old 
Harford." Plere he lived for some years, but e\enturdl\' moved to Hood- 
land, some miles nearer Philadelphia. I add to the Pennock narrative that 
William Perot, a member of the first Poard of Trustees of ( iirard College, 
resided at Lidilonfield for a time, .\nother fact is worth mention: 

The Howard House was at the height of its popularity as a sunnner 
boarding-house when the battle of dettysburg occurred, and there seemed 
every prospect of an advance on Philadelphia, and the West Chester I'ike 
suburb being made a Confederate cami)ing ground. The morning of that 
an.xious Monday people on its porch noticed the wretchedly dressed rider 
of an e(|ually wretche<l-looking horse th.at limi)ed painfulp- b\'. .\s the 
man cast scrutinizing glances from under his battered hat, one lady caught 
sight of a keen, youthful eye, and exclaimed, "That is a spy!" Suspicion 
was aroused, and a message sent to the city, and he reached there tcj find 
himself under arrest. Pxamination showed a rebel oiificer's uniform con- 
cealed under the shabby garments which he had assumed, and i)ro\-ed the 
truth of the accusation. 

John llawkins kept the Howard I louse for years, and his famip- con- 
tinued it, but afterward mo\ed to Rosemont. 

Kkvstoxe P.M'ER Mill. — The tract on which this mill is located was 
taken up by John Blunston, November iSth, 1683, who sold two hundred 
and fifty acres June ist, 1686, to John Hood. Prior to 1770 John Sellers ( i) 
utilized the water-power of Cobb's Creek by the construction of a long head 
race through this land and his Sellers Hall farm, and erected a saw-mill that 
was operated by his saw_\'er, John llayes. There was no fa\'orable site for 



328 RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 

a mill (lam in the locality, and the method of developing the water-power 
was an example of skillful engineering for those primiti\e times. It was at 
this mill that John Sellers permitted the sawing of tent ])()les. etc.. for the 
American army, which was among the acts leading to his disownment 1)\' 
the Society of Friends, and referred to in the testimony against him as ])re- 
sented at Darhv Meeting. Here also, in 1776. his son. Xathan Sellers, pre- 
pared and drew the wire for the Continental ])aper molds, after having 
been recalled from militar\ duty by Congress to undertake the work. 

Upon the death of John Sellers the property passed to his son 
George, who inherited Sellers Hall. The mill is located in the "Report of 
Manufactures of Delaware County of 1826" as "being on Cobb's Creek 
in Upper Darby, above Indian Creek, a large branch which extends into 
Philadelphia County, a saw-mill head and fall about twenty-eight feet, mill- 
race about one and a half miles long: owned and occupied by Geo. Sellers." 
The property was deeded by will to Sarah, daughter of George Sellers, who 
became the wife of George Pennock. From about 1830 to April ist. 1834. 
it was used as an oil mill, at which time the unexjjired lease of Samuel 
I lartranft was purchased by C. S. Garrett, who removeil the oil machinery 
and substituted machinery for manufacturing paper. He continued paper- 
making at this mill till 1866, when, having purchased the water ]irivilcgc, 
Mr. (jarrett erected the present mills on property owned by him, ;ind 
about h;df a mile abo\'e the site of the old mills. The buildings were of 
stone, one, fifty by sixt\- feet, four stories high: one thirty-five by thirty-five 
feet, three stories high: and one thirty by one hundred feet, one story high: 
and are supplied with one two-thousand-pound and two one-thousand- 
]i(innd washing engines, two twelve-hundred-pound beating engines, one 
Jordan engine, and one eighty-foiu"-incli I'ourdriner machine. The ])ower 
is sup])lied from a three-lumdred-horse-i)ower Greene steam engine, and 
four one-hundrcd-horse-i)ower boilers. The ])roduct is mosth- book and 
card papers, of which about eight tons are made d;iil\-. TwentN' males and 
sixteen females are employed. 

Kkv.stone. — Piond's feed store here contains the UjJiier Darbv 
Post-( )riice. which is l<e])t by William .S. Mikhx'. \';inleer V.. I'.ond was 
formerl)' postmaster. The post-office was once at the Howard House, and 
for a time was discontinued, but was re-established by .Mr. liond in 187(1. 'i"he 
toil-gate here was long known .■i> riKHim's (iate. frum the keejier. Peter 
llliHini. who died sexeral years ago. The store where .Mr, liond conducted 
his business belongs to the Thomas II. Powers estate, which owns nmch 
land here, including the old cocoonery. .Mr. Pond is a native of Upper 
Darby: his mother was a sister of Rachel Super, and he now. in connection 



p 
c 



t/v 



n 

c 



> 




RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 33' 

witli liis hrollicr-in-law, William H. Jones, owns the farm (in which Rachel 
Super lived. The property runs along- the State Road and Cedar Lane 
and Lansdowne Avenue, joinino- the farms of Levi Lukens, and the John 
Kirk estate as well as the farm of Jonathan E\-ans, and the farm of Robert L. 
Jones, Mr. Bond's father-in-law. This farm is cut by the I^hiladelphia & Del- 
aware County Railroad, and ArUngton Station is located on it. The \\'il- 
liam Bryan tract, adjoining Mr. Luken's farm, also belongs to Messrs. Bond 
and Jones. Mr. Bond was in the oil business in Armstrong, and Butler, and 
Clarion Counties, Pa., before entering in business in LT]5per Darby. He has 
a branch ])lace of business at Clifton, Pa., where J. Walter Jones is a partner. 

The Keystone School-house was built in 1S85. The ground was 
given by Caspar S. (iarrett, the owner of the Keystone Paper Mills, near 
iiere. 

The I^resbx'terian Memorial Sunday-school Clia])el, imder the care of 
the Patterson Memorial Church, at Sixty-third and A'ine Streets, was built 
in memory of Dr. Edward Anderson, son of Dr. Benjamin Anderson, who 
died at an early age. He had been Superintendent of the Sunday-school, 
which met in a priwite house, and the comnumity gave this testimonial to 
his worth. Such blessed memorials benefit the living, while they commem- 
orate the holy dead. The building was dedicated in A. D. 1895. The 
Anderson family are described at St. George's, Ardmore, in this volume. 

The Ford and McUille blacksmith shops have long emitted an\-il music 
to serve the neighborhood. 

Peter R. Bloom, son of the former toll-gate keeper, carries on the 
business of harness-making at the corner of Garrettford Road. 

Since the above was written the following item appeared in the Dcla- 
7carc Comity American. Sei^tember 24th, 1896: 

Bought Out a Business. — George W. Lyster, of Fernwood, has ])ur- 
chased the old-established h;irness business at the lower toll-gate on the 
West Chester Turnpike tliat has been operated by Peter Bloom for many 
years. It is one of the best stands in the county, and Mr. Lvster is a first- 
class harness-maker. 

We add that George .V. Sylvester has a store at Kevstone. 

C.\RDiNGTON. By HoR.\CE W. SELLERS. — Oil Cobb's Creek, just 
abo\e the moiUli of Naylor's Run, Nathan and Da\id Sellers operated 
a cotton mill as early as 1798, it being considered the first mill of its kind 
established in Delaware County. The water ])ower was lirought by a race 
leading from the dam on Naylor's Run where stood the old saw-mill owned 
l)y Nathan Sellers and operated for many years by Jesse Hax-es. The 
cotton luill was afterward converted into a paper mill, which in 181 5 



332 A' { Vv'.-J L PENXS ) 'L I 'A MA . 

was destroyecl by fire. Sul)sec|nently David Sellers built u])(in the site a 
tilt mill that was leased in i8j6 to David Snyder for the manufacture of 
s])ades and sho\-els. About this time at the old saw-mill on Naylor's Run 
Coleman Sellers operated his card-teeth machines as a branch of his estab- 
lishment in the city. .\ few \ears later he built a h(juse and factory near 
the tilt mill, and locateil his wool card industry there, jj^iving to the place 
the name of "Cardington." Subsequently he enlarged the plant by build- 
ing a machine shop and foundr\-, thus concentrating his works that before 
had been located at sei)arate points in the cit)'. It was the improved ecpiip- 
ment of these shoi)S, and the well-recognized engineering skill of the owners 
that induced the PennsyKania Board of Canal Commissioners to select this 
establishment for the manufacture of locomotives for the State Railroad. 
The design and construction of these engines as proposed and carried out 
\)y Coleman Sellers & Sons in 1834-35 mark an important advance in the 
evolution of the locomotive toward its general form as we see it to-day. The 
death of Coleman Sellers occurred in 1834, and the completion of the con- 
tract, therefore, devoised upon his sons, who succeeded him in the entire 
management of the business. 

Wild Orcii.\ud, situated on the Marshall Road, just beyond the I'hila- 
delphia line of Cobb's Creek, is one of the beauty spots near Philadel])hia. 
It originally was part of a tract of Sgi acres, deeded from Matthew 
lIo])kins to John Sellers in 1762. It descended by will to George Sellers; 
then by deed to Nathan Sellers. Sr. ; then by will to Nathan Sellers. Jr., who 
sold a portion of it to his cousin, Sanuiel Sellers. The two cousins, Nathan 
and Samuel, built each of them a house, which houses were destroyed by 
fire, and rebuilt about 1840. In 1857 Sanuiel Sellers's heirs sold the 
property to Ixichard Richardson, who sokl his sister-in-law, Rebecca White, 
one half in.terest. At the death of her sister Rebecca White came into pos- 
session of the entire place called Wild Orchard, and, in 1887, sold it to her 
ne])lu'w, josiah White, the jiresent owner. Wild ( )rchard is noted for its 
beautiful grove of tuli])-i)oplar trees, many of which girth from eight to 
nine feet, and are 150 feet tall, running up in many instances fifty feet with- 
out a lind). 

Ml 1.1. IIa.nk. V>y lIi)R.\(F. W. Si:m.krs. — The jiroperty of Dr. Cole- 
m.'in .Sellers, on Marshall's I'Joad, just above the old grist-mill on Naylor's 
Run, occupies jiart of the original ])lantation of John Marshall, one of the 
early settlers of 1 );irbv Township, .\ccording to tradition, he and Sanuiel 
Sellers, besides being neighbors, were close friends, assisting each other in 
their labors of clearing the land and building their houses. "Mill Rank" house 
stands upon the high ground between the road and the meadow, across 



RURAL PENNSVLfANIA. 335 

w liicli, iJii the oijposite slope, may lie seen "Sellers Hall." It was Iniill during 
the years 1815 to 1817 by Nathan Sellers, Esq., the grandfather of 
its present owner, and the eldest son of John Sellers, of Sellers 
Hall. He was born at the homestead November 27th, 1751. and 
seems to have inherited his father's ingenuity and taste for scientific and 
mechanical jiursuits. He was instructed in land sur\'eying at an early age, 
and also Ijecame familiar with the wire-working luisiness and the sex'eral 
industries conducted by his father in connection therewith. In 1772 he 
entered the office of Henry Hale Graham, Esq., at Chester, as an apprentice 
to learn "the trade, science, and occupation of scri\'cner." After cmu- 
pleting the term of his indenture, he was actively' emjilo^ed in the practice 
of his jjrofession, besides being engaged in the mechanical i)ursuits in which 
he was formerly interested. In due course he took a more acti\e part in 
the wire-working business, and by 1775 seems to ha\'e succeeded his father 
in the entire control of it. 

In 1776 he forfeited liis membershi]) in the Society of I<"riends b)- laking 
an acti\'e part in the organization of a rille company, and served as ensign 
in Colonel Jonathan Paschall's Battalion, l'hiladel]_)hia County Associators. 
While on duty at Newark, N. J., he was recalled by a special resolution of 
("ongress, 1)v which' he was desired to ])rovide the necessary molds and 
utensils for the manufacture of paper for the Government. Upon his re- 
turn he was actively engaged upon this work, being assisted for a time by 
his I)rother, Samuel Sellers, whose death, however, occurred before the 
close of the \ear. As all paj^ier molds had been imported prior to the embargo 
of 1776, Nathan Sellers had to devise the methods of drawing and anneal- 
ing wire necessary to their manufacture, and he is recognized as the first 
to undertake the work in this country. During the Revolution he was also 
called u])on bv the rennsyhania C'ouncil of Safetx' to make a niilitarv sur\e\' 
along the Delaware River, .iiul later in life he was acti\el_\- employed by the 
State in making survevs and considering (piestions relating to canal and 
other internal impi'oxements. The nianufactiu'e of [lapei" molds, ho\\e\er, 
laid the foundation for his fortune. .Vfter his marriage in 1779 he settled in 
Philadelphia, where he had at that time a well-established business witii the 
paper mills of the countrw Subsec|uently he took into partnership a younger 
brother, Da\id Sellers, and for many years the business was conducted 
under the firm name of Nathan and David Sellers. During his resilience in 
IMiiladelphia Nathan Sellers took an actixe interest in public afl^airs, and (to 
(|Uote from one of the daily pajiers referring to his death), "so universalb" 
was he esteemed b\- all rank and all political parties that during the greatest 
time of party excitement he was elected to the City Council without oppo- 



336 RURAL PRXXSYU'AMA. 

sition, and was always rc])i)rtc(l one of tlie most usefnl ami industrious mem- 
bers thereof."' 

Although throui^h the death of their father Nathan and David Sellers 
inherited but a small share of the paternal estate, they acquired by i)urchase 
and substantially imj^roN-ed much of the adjoining property in Cpper Darby. 
In 1817 Xathan Sellers retired from active business, and his eldest son, 
Coleman Sellers, succeeded him in the general management of the concern. 
After that time his life was spent at "Mill Bank," where he found employ- 
ment in the care of his estate. When occasion offered he co-ojierated with 
his son in de\ising im])rovements in the methods of manufacture, and to- 
gether tlie\' invented, among other ai)pliances, a machine for wire-laying 
paper molds that replaced the old hand jjrocess, and thus marked one of 
the important steps in the art. Xotwithstanding Xathan Sellers's disown- 
nient from niembershi]) in the Societ\- of Friends, he continued, as before, 
a regular attendant at meeting until his death in 1830, when his body was 
interred at Friends' Burying Ground, at Darby. Frec|uent efforts were 
made by the Society to induce him to "come to a sight and sense" of his 
error in taking u]) arms, but without ;i\ail. These efforts continued luitil 
shortly liefore his death. On one of the last occasions, when a committee 
waited upon him at Mill Bank, he was ])resented with sexeral forms of 
acknowledgment that would be acceptable Xo the Society. .\s he had pre- 
\iously refused to admit that his military ser\-ice was an error, one of these 
paj'jcrs submitted by the ct)nnnittee for his signature read: "I regret the 
circumstances that led me to act as 1 did." After studying this for a 
moment, he wrote: "I glor\' in the circumstances," and handed it back. 

The location of "Mill Bank" on sloping ground gave opportunities for 
the attracti\'e culti\ation of its terraced garden, which, always attended 
with the greatest care, was in the old days an oliject of interest and admira- 
tion. .Xathan Sellers's wife sur\ived him but a \ear. and from that time, 
1831, until 187J, the jilace was occupied by their uimiarried daughter, .\nn 
Sellers, and u])on her death it jiasscd to her ne])hew, the present owner. 

Fernisrook C'()I't.\(;i;. By S.\Mi'i=;i. Si-:i.i.i-:i^s. — This charming stone 
cott.'ige, bcautifulh' situated on the old .Marshall Ro;id. .-ilxuit three-fourths 
of a mile south of the West Chester Tui'ii]iike. now owned by Miss Marv 
Dewis, of Delaware ('ounty, and at one time occuiiicd by liei-, w;is erected 
bv Sanuiel Sellers in the year 18A1. This w;ts in the early years of the great 
Ci\il War. W ork on the buildings was sus])ended for a time liccause of 
a feared advance into Bennsylvani;i of the Southern army, llaptiily the 
onward course of the Confeder;ite forces \v;is st;i\ed before they reached 
the borders of the State, and wiirl< again went rapidly on, .Mr. Sellers mo\ing 



-3 




■^L^i*i 




.-v^-^- 



X^: 






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RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 339 

into it in the spring of i86j. This cottage was erected on land (eleven acres 
of hillside, meadow, stream, and wood) inherited by Samuel Sellers from his 
father, James Sellers, who had retired some )'ears before his death from an 
active business life in rhiladel])liia. 'i'lie father of James Sellers was David 
Sellers, who, wdth his elder brother Nathan, was of the original firm of N. & 
D. Sellers, wire merchants and manufacturers in Philadelphia. 

About the year 1772 David Sellers was apprenticed to l)a\id I'.acon, 
a prominent and highly respected "Friend" of Philadel])hia, to learn the 
trade of hatter and trunkmaker, and throughout his life he held his former 
master in affectionate esteem. In his diary we find under date of June 5th, 
iSoy, the following: "This afternoon my ancient friend, David liacou, de- 
parted this life 1 have no doubt in exchange for a better, about 3 o'clock in 
the afternoon. Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master from 
th\- head to-day? And he said, Vea, I know it, IkjUI _\-ou xour peace." 
Also under date of June 7th. 1809, "Dax'id Bacon's funeral. Mark tlie 
perfect man, ami behold the u|:)right, for the end of that man is jjeace." 

L'pon the completion of his ajiprenticeship Da\i(l Sellers for a short 
time followed liis trade, but later joined in partnership with Ids l)rotlier 
Nathan in the wire-working and paper mold business, and they shortK- after- 
ward established themselves on Market Street, below Sixth Street, in I'hila- 
deli)hia. \\'ire-wea\ing and manufacture of wire rolling-screens, etc., had 
been undertaken originally l)y John Sellers (1st) on the Sellers Hall estate 
in Upper Darby, and it was there that Nathan Sellers carried on the work 
after he succeeded his father prior to the Revolutionary War. It is said 
that Washington, when President, living on Market Street almost directly 
o])posite the wire store, would often drop in to chat with the Sellers brothers, 
Nathan and Da\-id. I\Irs. Mary T. Bunting, daughter of David Sellers, and 
sister to Sanmel and James Sellers, said to the writer that she remeniliered 
Washington laying his hand on her head u])on one occasion, in her father's 
store, speaking pleasant words to her. 

"Fernbrook" forms jtart of the original "Springton b'arm" owned bv 
N. X; D. Sellers, anul which was afterwards the property of James 
Sellers. Strung along the old Marshall Koad (one of the first laid 
out in the \icinity of Philadelphia), coxering a distance of one nnle .ind 
a half, are some of the old homes which the descendants of Sanuiel Sellers, 
the emigrant, built for themselves. These are "Springton," "Fernbrook," 
"Mill Bank," "Wild Orchard," "Fdgefield," "Hill-Side," "Uak Hall," "Eel 
Hall," and "Cardington." 

At "Cardington," in the house built by George Escol Sellers, lived 
for a time Dr. Kane, the Arctic explorer, while making read\- for 



340 Rl'KAL PEXXSYU'AXIA. 

his ])olar ex]-)e(lition. Two of tlie men wln) accompanied Kane (Bon- 
sail and Baker, step-l)rotliei"s) li\cd in the immciliate neit^lil)orhood, 
and liere Ijecame accjuainted with him. Bonsall returned, and is 
still li\in^'. a hale and hearty man. liaker ne\er returned. Ik- 
died in the Arctic rej^ions, and was huried there. A youm^er hrother 
of Biaker. a prominent phxsician of Lansdowne, IJelaware County, recenth. 
died at that i^rogressive suhiu'han town. Samuel Sellers, after coming into 
possession of that part of his father's estate now known as Fernbrook. \n\Y 
chased an adjoining tract of about twenty acres, known as W'oodthorpe, 
which is now owned by Miss Hilary Lewis. Through this tract the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad has run its new branch road, connecting I-\'rnwood on 
the Baltimore Central witii Newtown Scpiare, Delaware County. \i ilii 
point on tiie Marshall Road lias been placed the new station known as 
Wycombe. This is on the north edge of Lansdowne, and close by stands 
the old Xew Jerusalem Church edifice, now unused as a ])lace of worship, 
as but few of the old church members now live in the neighborhood. It is 
l)roposed, however, to revive, if possible, the congregation, in the bury- 
ing ground of the old cluu'ch lies some of the Sellers family. 

Naylor. who originally took u]> the land in the immediate neighbor- 
hood of Springton Farm, lived, it is said, in a cave dug into the hill-side 
immediately in front of Fernbrook Cottage. There is now a very percepti- 
ble depression in tlie bank, which ma_\' ha\e been the result of that l)ank ca\e. 
or may not. 

At the time Fernbrook Cottage was erected, although tlistant one 
mile from the city line, at Cobb's Creek, the place was so secluded one 
seemed not to be within many miles of the noisy city. Xow, although (piite 
rural, the city encroaches upon it, and the noise of the steam whistle dis- 
turbs the ])leasant country (piiet. Soon the long-secluded place will be 
merged into the progressive and more ])retentious Lansdowne. 

Si'Ki.N'C.TON Farm. — Samuel Sellers kindly guides my notes in regard 
to this ])lace. The land formed part of a tract of -'50 acres, including 
Brookheld. that adjoins the ])resent Drexel proi)ert\-. It was originall\ 
owned b\ William (iarrett. who divided it between liis two sons. The 
eastern end, called "Si>rington." from the springs upon it. eventually came 
to the possession of Nathan and I)a\id Sellers, and upon the division of 
their estate it passed to Da\id's son. James Sellers. i'he western ])orlion 
of the original (iarrett tract bccanu- the ])ro])erty of S;inuicl Levis. 

"Springton harm." that |)assed to James Sellers, consisted of 103 
acres, through which (lows Xa\lor's l\un. The house is a ([uaint, iircgid;ir 
building, that has been enlarged and altered from time to time. It was 



o 
o 
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n 

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RURAL PENNSYLWIXIA. 343 

here that James Sellers, who loved country life, brought up his boys in 
rural surroundings. At the same time they had the ad\-antages of a good 
private school, where Professor Khoads (afterward of the Philadelphia High 
School) and his sister were among the teachers. 

James Sellers was a man of strong character and moral courage, 
though in disposition tender and retiring, a philanthropist, and in religion 
a ilex'out "Friend." He was among the earlv Abolitionists, an earnest ad- 
vocate of temperance, and in politics voted with the Free Soil party in its 
da\-. He was an honest, just man, a clear thinker, and lucid writer. 

He conducted his farm on scientific methods, irrigating the meadow 
land to increase its productix'eness. and introduced ingenious and useful 
devices in the improvement of the place. 

He married Elizabeth C'adwalader. daughter of Cyrus Cadwalader, 
of r.ucks County, Pa. Beautiful and attractive, she was beloved in 
society, an estimable wife, and caretl kindly for the welfare of others, 
considering also carefully her duty to God. She outlived her hus- 
Ijand, and died at the age of se\'enty-six. Her father was a b'riend, a 
man of excellent [divsical dexelopment ;uid pleasing manners, with a line 
sense of humor. He was a man of affairs, and a member of the State Legis- 
lature. His ancestor was John Cadwalader, from Wales, an eminent 
and godly minister in the Society of Friends. He traveletl much in minis- 
terial work, and dietl in the Island of Tortola in A. D. 1742, where he was 
buried beside Thomas Chalkley, and John Estaugh was in a few days laid t j 
rest bv the side of his faithful Christian co-workers. W'hittier visited Chalkley 
Hall, at Frankford, and wrote a beautiful poem concerning it. A notice 
of Chalklev is given in my book on the Bristol Pike. Chalkley's Journal 
was published in 1749. Cyrus Cadwalader's first wife was Mary Taylor, 
mother of Elizabeth Sellers, and his second wife bore the same name, being 
her cousin. The notable women were descended from Christ(.)])her T.aylor, 
of Penn's day. James and Elizabeth Sellers maintained a hospitable home 
at Springton. with a latch-string ever out. They had a large family of girls 
and boys, and sometimes undertook the care of tlie children of relatives. 
A sister of Mr. Sellers was Mrs. Harvey Lewis; her husband was a promi- 
nent Philadelphia jeweler and silversmith on Chestnut Street, below Fourth 
Street, where the Guarantee iS; Trust Company building now stands. 
Marv Cadwalader, daughter of James and Elizabeth Sellers, married 
Samuel Sellers, son of George and Ann Sellers, of Sellers Hall, where ( ieorge 
Sellers died. Samuel, after his wife's death, married again, and went to 
California in the early history of that State, being associated with General 
Fremont in mining. 



344 RURAL PENNSYLI-AXLl, 

Mr. Edward Sellers, youngest son of James Sellers, upon the 
lireaking out of the great Civil War vohniteered as a private 
in tlie well-known "Anderson Cavalry." He rose to tiie rank of 
Ca]itain. and saw nnich hard service, getting as far South witli his regi- 
ment as Northern Alabama. At the close of the war he returned witli 
his hard-worked, decimated regiment with impaired health, hut withou'. 
having received other serious injury. He was one of many educated h'riends 
who, \vhen the clash of arms came, proniiitly and patriotically s])rang for- 
ward in defense of the Union. 

lames Sellers and his l)rother Samuel succecdeil to the interest of their 
father, David Sellers, in the old firm of N. & D. Sellers, in partnership with 
Coleman Sellers, the son of Nathan Sellers, who retired in 1S17. I'he 
business was afterward conducted under separate partnerships as it 
became more diversified, and Abraham L. I'eimock was admitted tt) 
an interest. James Sellers ;md .Xbraham L. Pennock belongeil to 
the Philadeliihia Hose Company, and together invented riveted leather 
hose, which remained in use imtil rubber hose appeared. This branch of 
the business, as well as the mamifacturing of riveted leather mail-liags for 
the Government, was conducted under the firm name of Sellers & Penudck. 
the predecessors of S. C. & J. Sellers. It is interesting to note th;it the 
first ri\eted leather belt in conmiercial use was made for Abraham I.. Pen- 
nock's dour and grist mill on the Pennypack Creek, at liolmesburg, which 
was one of the two oldest mills in the neighborhood of Philadelphia. 

Sellers & Pennock for a time enlarged the business to include the con- 
struction of fire engines, and built among other improved machines the 
old "Assistance" engine, that threw a stream of unusual \olume and force. 

Coleman Sellers, in 182S. withdrew from the firm, taking with him 
the paper mold, machine card, and general machinery business, which he 
estalilished at Cardington. The wire business continued to be conducted 
in the city, the firms of Sellers & Pennock and S. & J. Sellers l>eing fol 
lowed by J. & D. Sellers. J. & D. Sellers ^^t Co., and Sellers I'.rotiiors, who 
e.xtenilecl their operations into other branches. 

Powell i<; Maddock, Sixth Street, below .\rch. succeed to the mill su])- 
plies and leather belting branch of Sellers Brothers' former wire business. 
Pennock Powell, of this young and enteri)rising firm, is .i line.d descendant 
of Sanniel .Sellers, the emigrant. 

1 ;idd th.it J.imes Cadwalader Sellers, F.S(|., of West (diester. is :i gr.nnd- 
son of James Sellers, of Springton. His fatlur w.is the Lite I )i-. l.imes 
Sellers, Jr.. of South Orange. N. 1. 

I'rofessor James Rhoads, to whom reference has been ma<le, was the 



r 




•V' 



RURAL PENNSYLrANlA. 347 

fatlicr of Joseph R. Rhoads, Esq.. of Philadelphia, and married Alice, 
daughter of George Sellers, of "Sellers Hall," and Ann Evans Ash, his wife. 

From a manuscript book of poems by George Sellers on subjects per- 
taining to nature and religion, written in the early part of this century, and 
copied by his daughter, Alice Rhoads, we (|uote as follows a portion of one 
on "Cobb's Creek:" 

"Dear Cobbs, how long thy beauteous winding stream 
Has flowed unsung thro' thy seqiiester'd shades. 
Each rural poet sought some nobler theme. 
Than thy clear waves and murmuring cascades." 

*** + + ** 

"Much of their time my long liv'd sires have spent 
Upon thy bank, and in succession knew 
Those youthful sports — here each, in calm content. 
Did peacefully liis rural toil pursue." 

George Sellers and Ann Evans Ash were married by the Swedish par- 
son. Dr. Nicholas Collin, in Old Swedes' (Gloria Dei) Church, Philadelphia. 
The Doctor married 3,375 couples. See my "Early Clergy of Pennsylvania 
and Delaware," p. 45. 

Upper D.vkby. — The John Kirk tract in this township runs back in 
the date of title to 1688, and Levi Lukens obtained a part of it. The Black 
Horse Tavern, nearly opposite the Howard House, on Pyott's Hill, was 
in old times called the Seven Stars. It was a temperance house under 
John Hawkins before he took charge of the Howard House. When the 
Black Horse sign was lowered the people cheered the temperance victory, 
and a man suggested the giving of oats to the hungry animal so long sus- 
])ended in the air. 

In Phili])'s "New World of Words," published in A. D. 1671, Darby 
and Darbyshire appear instead of Derby and Derbyshire, and the certiiicates 
of early English Friends were almost always thus spelled. In the book 
referred to Derby is given as a contraction of Derwenthy, "because it 
standeth on the Ri\er Derwent." — Dr. Smith's Histor\- of Delaware 
County, p. 384. 

A plank-road and a horse-car railway for a time enlivened tra\cl on the 
West Chester Road in Upper Darby. 

Adam Eckfeldt, son of John Jacob and Maria Magdalena Eckfeldt, was 
born in rhiladeli)hia June 15th, 1769. His father (John Jacob) was mar- 
ried in Xureniburg, Bavaria, in 1764, and, shortlx' after his luarriage, came 
to this country ami settled in Philadel])hia, where he carried on the busi- 
ness of blacksmith and general machine work. Adam was a])prenticed to 



348 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

his father — where he was trained to all kinds of iron work, and had a par- 
ticular aptitude for machinery. At the heginning of the Mint establish- 
ment in the United States he was engaged in constructing presses and 
machinery for it. His official connection as Assistant Coiner began in 
January, 1796, by appointment, and with the consent of President Wash- 
ington. On the death of the coiner, Henry Voigt, in 1814, .\dam Eck- 
feldt was appointed to the ])osition, in which he continued until his resig- 
nation in 1N31;. He contimied to \isit the Mint dail}' for many years, taking 
part as an amateur and ad\iser: e\'en down to the time of his death, which 
took place February 5th, 1852, he was seldom absent from his desk in the 
Mint. He was a man of large information on many subjects, possessed an 
inventive genius, and was enabled to introduce some excellent improve- 
ments in minting ]:)rocesses. He was singularly industrious and energetic, 
and for his social (|ualitics and uprightness was universally respected, and, 
indeed, beloxed l)y the officers associated with him and the extended circle 
of his ac(|uaintance. He had a particular taste for farm and garden culture, 
and it was this taste that induced him to purchase the properties in Haver- 
ford Township, Delaware County. Upon his death the property was di- 
\'ided, and 150 acres on the West Chester Road became the ]jroperly of his 
second son, Adam C. Eckfeldt, who continued to reside on this tract ;md 
carr\- on farming until (in 18(1 — ) he sold the same to William I'richett. The 
western jiart of the estate, iC>5 acres, ])ecame the property of bis eldest son, 
Jacob R. I'A-kfeldt. which is still held by the family. 

Jacob R. h',ckfeldt was the eldest son of Adam and Margaret Bausch 
b'ckfeldl. and was born in r'hila(lel])hia March, i8o_^. In the spring of 
|8_:5_', upon the resignation of .\lr. John Ricb.ardson, Mr. I'.ckfcldt was ap- 
pointed by President Jackson Assayer of the United States Mint, which 
position he tilled until the time of his death, .\ugust 9th, i87_'. As an 
Assaver and Chemist he stood in the \ery lirst rank, his skill and ai)ilit\ 
being not i>nl\- i-ecngnized in this coimtry, but abro;id. He was m.arried 
October 19th, 1835, to lunily Mit'thn. daughter of Jonathan Levering, of 
Phil;idel])bi;t. In 1843 he i)urchased tiie projierty in Haverford Township 
from the est;ite of Jose])h Cloud, jiart of the old { irange, on whicli he re- 
sided at the time of his death. Ashme;id's History of l)el:iware Count\- 
states that .Xdani C. was born in i8i_'. He remo\ed to Xorlh Chester in 
18(18. His wife was Rebecca Sulger, and his children were h'lias I!.. Anna 
S., and Marg,arett;i. The son "k-W at the battle <>{ \ntiet;ini." Mr. I'".ck 
feldt's second wife was Martha .\nn Campbell. 'I'he daughter by this m,ar- 
riage is "Sarah E., wife of Dr. Charles Perkins." Mr. l'".ckfeldt was a Jus- 
tice of the Peace in Haverford, and an active elder in the Tliird Presby- 



R I 'R.l I. PliXXS ) L I \l NIA . 349 

terian Clnircli of Chester, ami an officer in Marple ]'rcsl)_\terian (luircli 
under tlie pastorate of Rc\-, Dr. Ilotclikin. 

Richland. — This name was i;"i\en to imlicate the fertile cliaraclui 
of this farm. The extensi\e lawn, with the al)un(lant hox-hushes ami 
natural terrace, form a beautiful \ic\\'. L'olonel Willing built a portion of 
the old maiTsion. .Xdani C. Eckfeldt owned it several vears. W'm. C. 
I'richett boui^ht from him. and enlarL;ed the house, and reno\ated it and 
the outbuildint;s. A \erv lar^e j^arden is in the rear of the house, and 
an old loi^-house still stands, showinj.;" the axe-hewed rafters and the simple 
construction oi the earliest days of the country's settlement. 

Davilla Farm. — Tliis name is derived from the owner's name, Davis, 
with a termination adapted for the purpose of an appellation. Morgan 
Reese Davis is the present proprietor. He purchased it from the estate of 
Sanuiel Da\is, F,sc|., in A. D. 1867. It comprises about eiohty-eight acres, 
lyiuL;- on the Coopertown Road, and touching the new village of Llanerch. 
The hrst-named Davis family held the place for two generations. Morgan 
R. l)a\is enlarged and remodeled the house in 1874, placing a cozy piazza 
around two sides of the building, and enlarged the barn and other out- 
buildings, and erected a new tenant house near the mansion ftir the use of 
the farmer. The beautiful trees of the lawn were nearly all jilanted b\' the 
I^resent jiroprietor, though an old cherry tree tries to assert its anti(|nitv, 
but it is yielding to the gnawing tooth of time. The bright row of pine 
trees wdiich enliven the avenue under the summer sun and the winter snow 
were planted by Morgan R. Da\is. Mr. Davis was born in Downingtown, 
Chester County, Pennsylvania. His father was E. Da\is, and his mother's 
maiden name was Mary Pauling. Mrs. Davis is the daughter of William 
Roberts, and was born in I'hiladelphia. Her father had been a resident of 
Gwynedd, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. His wife was Hannah 
W. Wilson, of Chester County, Pennsylvania, being a descendant of the well- 
known Maris family. The children of the present family are Clara L., Wil- 
liam R., Harry M., Sarah, Nellie. Cresson R., John H., and Morgan R. 
Davis, Jr. 

Dlanerch. — The w^ord Llanerch is W^elsh. It means an open space. 
The Silas Bewley homestead was thrown into the market by his death in 
A. D. 1885, and sold by the administrator to Henry Albertson. The farm 
consisted of eighty-one acres on the north side of the West Chester Turn- 
pike. This was formerly a jiortion of the Penn family grant to John and 
William Taxlor. A tract of the Taylor section was purchased by George 
T)a\is, the elder. Silas r>ewley obtained a jxirtion of this Davis property. 
The old farm-house, erected during the ownershi]) of the Davises. yet stands 



350 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

in the \il!a!^e. facinj^' Park Road. Tlie wliole farm is now in the Llanerch 
tract. The title is in tlie estate of Hcnrv Alhertson, deceased, as to one- 
half, and in I'^dward Worth as to the other half. (Since this was written 
.\lr. Worth has sold his share to Mrs. Alhertson.) Twelve neat and tastefnl 
dwellings of stone or brick have been bnilt b\- the parties interested. They 
were designed and superintended in their construction by Robert G. Ken- 
nedv and Frank .\. Mays, who both reside at Llanerch. The plans are 
creditable and well executed. J. Lord Rigby, Mrs. Win. Hays, IX S. \\'. 
Delaplaine, Robert G. Kay, Morgan R. Davis, and Rev. J. F. Hartnian are 
residing in this new and pretty village. A Methodist service has been 
started under Re\-. Mr. Hartman's care, and an unoccupied house is used for 
this purpose on Sunday afternoons. This clergyman also has charge of 
iJethesda Church, not far distant. On h^bruary jcSth. A. I). 1897, the 
Ghurch was organized b\- Rev. Dr. ¥. B. Lynch, Presiding bolder. A lot 
was gi\-en "b_\' the promoter of the suburban town," and it was stated that 
a church building would be erected during the year. 

The station of the Philadelphia & Delaware Coinitv Railwa\, running 
to Xewtown S(|uare. is at this village. This railroad belongs to the system 
of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The West Chester trolley road intersects 
the steam road here. That road at this time also ends at Xewtown Scjuare, 
though it is desired to contimie it to AX'est Chester. Toll-gate Xo. 3 has 
for some time been in charge of Mr. Hamunn, son of the keeper of (jate 
Xo 4 above. 

lulward Prichet, from .\lmel, in the Count}- of Hereford, Fngland, 
"glover," settled in Ividley Township before 1684. He was a Friend, though 
not deeply interested in the Societv. In 1705 his son Philip married Sarah, 
daughter of \\ illiam Smith, of Darbv, and the same vear. William, son of 
John .Smith, of Darljy, married his daughter Elizabeth, lie was living in 
1 (^)i). 

Haverford Post-office was changed to Manoa about 1S83, to avoid 
confusion with Ila\erford College. The store was purchased l)\' Sanniel H 
.Moore of his f;ither-in-law, John Leedom. It was formerl\' called the Wil- 
liam lilack store, lie ke])t the store for years, and removed to Chester. 
Prexious merchants here were Joseph Kerns, Thomas l^eed, Henry Warner, 
and .Mc.Mlister <^ Ralston. 

M.\xo.\ P.\UK. — This farm belongs to Walter 11. llays. Samuel Moore, 
and Alexander Johnson. It consists of over sixty acres, comprising about fne 
acres of woodland, and trees are scattered over the groimds. Mr. Moulton 
owned it. and afterward it becanie Joseph ()at's tine country-seat, and he 
built the mansion. He was well known as a worlhv resident, and was much 



RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 353 

interested in Marple Presln'terian Churcli in Dr. Hotchkin's pastorate. He 
was a I'hiladelphian. The property passed into the hands of Wilham 
Pyott and Edward Longstreth, and then to the present parties. A lake en- 
circled with willow trees is a pretty feature of the scenery. The place was 
called Willow Brook in Mr. Oat's time. A heautiful winding road, hounded 
hy various kinds of trees, leads to the house. 

The first recorded deed (a curious looking old jjarchment), transferring 
"Manoa Park," is dated the Fourth day of First month, commonly called 
March, A. D. 1747. in which Jos. Lewis transfers the property to I^aniel 
Lawrence, and the consideration is 250 pounds. The same deed states that 
Jos. Lewis hecame possessed of the i>ri)perty by a will of David Lewis, dated 
J4th day of First month, 1714. The property is called a "plantation," and 
transfers with the improvements, meadows, water ways, etc., certain privi- 
leges of fishing, fowling, hunting, etc. The deed is recorded December 
30th, 1756, and is so certified by J. Parker Reed. Dr. Lee resides on the 
ne.xt ])lacc below Manoa Park, at the home of Mrs. Philip Kinsie. 

On the Leedom's Mill Road, near Manoa, lives John Leedom, on the 
Lewis l)a\is farm, which was pmxdiased b\- Joseph B. Leedotn. his f.'ither. 
The pleasant mansion was erected in 1878. The farm around Bethesda 
Church now belongs to Mrs. Borden and VVm. Prichett. It was formerly 
owned by Mrs. Delaney, the great-grandmother of Mrs. Borden. Mrs. 
Lydia Delaney gave the land on which Bethesda Church stands, and she 
is buried in the churchxard. Mrs. Mary McClure, the mother of Mrs. 
Thomas Prichett, lies next her own mother, Mrs. Delaney, and her marble 
shaft contains the blessed words, "Looking unto Jesus." John F. Taylor's 
monument is near. John Gracey, who was a leader in the parish, is buried 
under the church's shadow. Bushrod, Horton, and Alexander Kimball, 
his brothers-in-law, were co-workers with him. 

Rev. Mr. Ilartman is the pastor of the church. Bethesda Methodist 
Episcopal Church dates its organization in A. 1). 1831, when Rev. William 
Crider was pastor. The building arose in 183-', and it was nuicli enlarged 
in 1871. The above date may refer to the first building. The inscription 
on the church states that it was built in i8(ij. and rebuilt in 1871. A beau- 
tiful a\cnue of maple trees runs along the church lane from Leedom's Mill 
Rcjad. The old Delanes' mansion rises in ([uiet and dignilied stateliness 
beyond the church, reminding the beholder of old times. 

Mrs Borden's mother. Mrs. Thomas Prichett. gave an addition to 
the church land. The Flounders farm joined the Delaney place. George 
Willi.amson's farm is opposite that of John Leedom. and James Prichett's 
jilace lies between that property and Manoa Post-office. 



354 RURAL PEXXSl'LJ-AMA. 

Charles Getz and his son Samuel li\e on the north side of tlie Pike, 
and Herbert and David (ietz on the south side. They liave i)leasant homes 
and truck farms. 

An Odd Fellows" Hall at Manoa is a two-story l)uilding-. A Lutheran 
mission church organization uses the building, and conducts a Sundav- 
school. The old Lutheran Church in the southern part of Philadelphia 
oversees the work. Rev. Dr. Francis is the pastor of l)oth churches, and 
preaches here occasionally. Charles Getz is the useful Sunday-school 
Superintendent, and a chief supporter of the good work. 

Nearly opposite the Eagle Hotel is \\'m. P>ettle's farm-house, and his 
farm surrounds it. His grandfather owned the farm. Above the Eagle, 
on the left in going u]) the comitr\-, Hugh Sax'age has a farm, and his dwell- 
ing is marked !>y an entrance with large stone gate-posts. James lirskine's 
farm, beyond the Eagle on the right hand, formerly belonged to his father- 
in-law. Air. Stackhouse. The farm-house is ]irettilv situated on a hillside. 

The farm of Levi Lid<ens lies on the Lansdowne Drive. It contains 
al)out a hundred acres, and the cheerful dwelling, with its cozy piazza, 
stands on a slight elevation. The father of T^evi Lukens, whose name was 
Nathan. ])urchased the place of Thurlbert Lobb, who had bought it of John 
Paschall. Previous to him Enoch Reese, his father-in-law, was owner. Mr. 
Reese wa.s a man of high standing in the communitx. The farm opposite 
that of Mr. Lukens now belongs to \'an Leer liond and W illiam Jones. It 
was the Bryan estate, and consists of 1,^5 acres. Nathan ]ad<ens jiurchased 
it from Pierce Butler before the Bryan family owned it. Mr. Butler was the 
owner of the farm for several vears. He was affable with his neighbors, 
and popular in the conmiunity. 

Near these places was the residence of an excellent local historian. 
and we insert tlie following '"from the Re]iort of the Xumism.atic and .\nti- 
cpiarian Society of Philadcl])hia for i8Sj:" 

Geokc.e Smith, M. D. B_v Charles Henry Hart. Historiographer. 
Read May 4th, 1882. — Dr. George Smith, well known as the author of 
the Tlistiry of Delaware Countv, Pennsvlwania. died ;it his residence in 
C])per D.'irby, Delaware Countv, l^i.. March loth, i88_'. in his se\entv- 
ninth year. He was born l"el)ruar\- uth, 1804, in lla\erford Townshii), 
Delaware County, Pa., and was the youngest child and only son of Ben- 
jamin ITa\es Smith, and Margaret Dunn, his wife. His father was fourth 
in descent, maternally, from Richard Hayes, a h'riend, who emigrated from 
Ilmiston, Pembrokeshire, Wales, in 1687, and settled on the tract of land 
in Haxcrford Township, yet owned by his descendants, the famih' of the 
late Dr. Smith. Richanl Hayes died in 1697, and his granddaughter i^liza- 



RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 355 

beth married George Smith, son of Thomas Smith, who emigrated to Penn- 
sylvania from Ilkley, England; and they were the grandparents of the sul)- 
ject of this notice. Dr. Smith's father represented Delaware County in 
the Legislature of Pennsylvania from 1801 to 1804. He was appointed a 
Justice of the Peace bv Governor AlcKean, although politically opposed 
to him, and continued until his death, in 1806, to hold that as well as other 
positions of honor and trust. 

Dr. Smith was brought up in Haverford and Radnor. He received his 
early education in the day schools of the neighborhood, and subsequently 
passed some time at the boarding school of Jonathan Ciause, in Chester 
County. Pie then entered the Medical Department of the Universit}- of 
Pennsylvania, and received his degree as Doctor of ^ledicine April 7th, 
1826. He retired in about five years, and devoted his time to farming and 
attending to the numerous public and pri\ate trusts that were forced upon 
him. From 1832 to 1836 he represented the district composed of Ches- 
ter anil Delaware Counties in the State Senate, retiring Decemljer 8th, 1836, 
to accept the appointment tendered him by Governor Joseijh Ritner, of 
Associate Judge of the Court of Connnon Pleas of his native county, an 
office he was chosen to fill again for five years from the first Monday 
in December, 1861, by the sulYrages of his fellow-men. In June, 1854, 
he was made Superintendent of Common Schools for Delaware County — 
the first person to hold the office — and for twenty-five years held the 
position of President of the School Board of Ui^jicr Darby School Dis- 
trict. "His connection," says his son, A. I^ewis Snnth, to whom I am in- 
debted for the material for this sketch, "with the organization of the com- 
mon school system of Pennsylvania, was one of the earliest and i)crha])s the 
most noteworthy incident of his matm-e years. As Chairman of the Senate 
Connnittee on Education, he was called upon to draw u\) a bill embracing 
the entire subject. Supported l)y the jiowerful adxocac}' of Thaddeus 
Stevens, and with the wide influence of Governor Wolf, this bill was passed 
substantially as reported, and proved to be the first practical and efficient 
measure on the subject of general education in the State of Pennsylvaina." 

In addition to these matters of ]nil)lic importance Dr. Snnlh was de- 
voted to scientific jiursuits, giving considerable attention to Imtany and 
geologv, especialh' the former; a taste generated, no doul)t. liy his medi- 
cal studies. This brought him into intimate relations with prominent 
scientists, such as John Cassin, the ornithologist; Dr. William Darlington, 
the botanist: Professor Joseph Leidy, the paleontologist, and many others 
of similar pursuits. To foster these tastes and promote the study and 
diffusion of general knowledge and the establishment of a nuiseum. he. with 



356 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

John Cassin, George stiller, Minshall Painter, and John Miller, founded, 
in September, 1833, "The Delaware County Institute of Science." The 
membership gradually increased, and the Institute was incorporated Feb- 
ruary 8th. 1836. 

It was in connection with this body, of which Dr. Smith was President 
from its foundation until his death, and under its auspices, that he pre- 
pared and published the History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, fn^)m 
the Disco\'er}' of the Territor\- included within its limits to the jiresent time. 
With a notice of the Geology of the County and Catalogues of its minerals, 
plants, quadrupeds, and birds. This work is an octavo volume of nearly 
six hundred pages, with several maps and illustrations, and was issued in 
the vear 1862. It is a model county liistorw and one of the best local his- 
tories vet prodticed in this country. It is minute and thorough, yet not 
drv and tiresome. It is not only well written, but it is exceedingh' inter- 
esting, made so by the mode in which the subject is presented tt) the reader. 
In addition to the contents as set forth in the title, the volume contains 
seventy-si.\ pages of biograijhical notices of persons identified with the 
county. 

Dr. Smith was a consistent meml)er of the Society of Friends, and his 
handsome presence and genial manners will l)e missed alike by his ac- 
(luaintances and friends. He was married February 26th. 1X29. in the 
presence of the Hon. George I\I. Dallas. Mayor of Philadelphia, to Mar\ 
Lewis, only child of .\braham and Rebecca (Lawrence) Lewis. Of tlii.> 
marriage eight children were born, five of whom survive the father. The 
eldest. .\l)raham Lewis Smith, a nnicli res]:)ected member of the Philadel- 
phia r.ar, and the youngest. Clement Lawrence Smith, a Professor in llar- 
\ ard College, who has just recently been chosen Dean of the Faculty. 

I add to Mr. Hart's interesting sketch of a very useful man that a new 
ball was built many years since for the Delaware County Institute of Sci- 
ence in Medi;i, and the Aluseum is there. 

.\l the time Mr. Hart's pajjer was pre])are(l three nlher children nf Dr. 
Smith were living besides those named: Mrs. Mar\' Wdcid, who died .\. I ). 
1882; Margaretta Smith, and Benjamin II. Smith, who ])ublished a Town- 
ship Atlas of Delaware County. 

Dr. James J. Levick gave a sketch of George Smith in the Pennsylvania 
Magazine of P>iography and History. Mr. I larl's memoir has been abbre- 
\iated here. 

TiiK I'l.owEU OnsKRXAToKv OF THE Univer.sity of Pennsvi.\'a\i.\. 

The ecpiatorial building, and the transit house, and the professors' ])rettv 
residence of brick and stone, containing a wing for the observatory library 



RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 



357 



and computing-room, were erected in A. D. 1895 on the farm donated by 
Reese Wall Flower for this ]nu-]iose. in L'p]ier Darby, just above the Howard 
House. The Resident Professor is C. L. Doolittle. who came to this point 
from the Leliigh University, at Bethlehem. Pa., where he was Professor of 
Mathematics and Astrononn-. The dfime of the equatorial building is mov- 
able, and a section from the peak to the base of the roof can be opened, so 




OliSEKVATliRY. 



that the oliserver can follow the circuit of the heavens. The room con- 
taining the telescope is linetl with white tile and linely finished. The foun- 
dation of the Ijuilding is of stone, stronglx' i>uilt for its hea\y work, and the 
circular edifice is of brick. The foundation of the telesco])e is nine feet 
deep, and a solid piece of masonry, so as to avoid surface tremors from cars 
and wagons on the roatl. Cobb's Creek bounds the farm. The \iew from 



358 RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 

the balcony of the Observatory is a magnificent one, as wood and hill and 
pasture land minole in the !andsca])e. In the transit Ijuilding movable 
shutters in the roof (lisiila\- the sky. A small telesco])e works from one 
l)osition, moving only north and south, the building having been set ac- 
curately with the points of the compass to get the opening in the right di- 
rection. This zenith telescope determines the latitude. The meridian circle 
and a transit instrument are also in the transit building, as well as the side- 
real clock. 1 am indebted to Professor Doolittle for kind guidance in these 
professional matters. The architect of the Observatory was Edgar V. 
Seeler, of Philadelphia. 

J. Milton Lutz has a nice residence on the right of the Pike above the 
old Flower mansion, and William N. Corlies dwells in a brick house on the 
same side of the road, just above. 

Mr. Cunningham's well-kept farm and neat dwelling, with a large stone 
barn near it, is still farther up the road, opi^isite the Kirk place. 

The John Kirk F.\rm lies between the fifth and sixth mile-stones on 
the West Chester Pike and the Darb}- & Radnor Road, and contains 
ninety-six acres, now held ]i\- the faniilv. The Misses f^Iizabeth II. and 
Debbv L. Kirk are the owners and occupants of the old homestead, which 
is on the line of the Philadelphia ^; Delaware County Railroad, which cuts 
through the place. An ancient house of frame .and stone stot)d in the 
present orchard. This is believed to be the first house erected on the land 
by the early settlers. The stairway was on the outside. About A. D. 1833 
it was demolished, and a ])ortion of the lumber and stone was used in the 
])resent house. John Kirk, of England, in loSj i)urchased a large tract of 
land in Darby, and built the lirst house. He was a Friend, who settled 
before the coming of Penn. The great-grandfather of the present family 
was Samuel Kirk, and his son was Thomas, w ho was the father of John Kirk, 
the father of thuse now dwelling on the farm. His children were 'i'hdmas, 
John (deceased), Mary (now Mrs. Duell, of \\'enonah,\.J.), William, b'nnna, 
(now Mrs. Horner, of Woodstown, N. J.), Elizabeth II. and I )ebb\' L. Wil- 
li.-ini occupies a part of the old farm, a new house having been Itnill b\- him 
)ip(iii that portion. The f.amily was connected with the Dai'by Meeting, 
lnU of later \ears with the lla\-erfortl I'^riends' Meeting. 

Gr,\nt's Shots, near the sixth mile-stone on the West Chester Pike, 
at the corner of City .\\enue, were ])urchased b\- Charles P. (irant of Josiah 
I'onsall in A. D. 1X3-', and he conducted the blacksmithing business for 
many years. He died January 1st, iSS(), ;iged sixty-eight. His widow 
now owns the shops, ancl lier son in l;i\\. William II. .Mor;id, successfully 
continues blacksmithing, and Lewis h'ree carries on the w heelwrisjht busi- 



RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 359 

ness. Mr. Cirant left a liii^li repulalidii for business character in llie nei,i;iil)i)r- 
liooil. His chililren were l'~.liza (Mrs. Morad), Elizabeth (Mrs. David 
Brooke), and Gurdon Hotchkin. Vincent L. and Charles .\. died before 
their father. Mrs. Grant's maiden name was Mary J. Litzenbery. 

Toll-<:^ate No. 4 has been ke])t l)y janies Hannnm aljotit thirty years. 
He is a Justice of the Peace, succeediuL;- his neighbor, James Smith, who 
declined re-election after serving for a generation. These men have been 
for years very active Stewards of Hethesda Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Mr. Smith's house and shop ;ire on the slope of the hill on the left before 
reaching Lawrence's Mill. The West mansion stands on rising ground 
back from the road, a little abo\e this point. The former Williamson and 
liarber farms are on the other side of the creek, on the right of the I'ike. 
The liergdoll farm has iileasant Iniildings on the hill, on the right hand. 

As one passes out the West Chester Pike beyond the Eagle, the old 
Black Bear Tavern is on the right in descending a hill. It is now a farm- 
house, owned by John Stanton. \\ ilmer Broadlielt was a previous owner, 
and William ^'. Stackhouse at one time owned the f.arm, ;uid li\ed here, ( )n 
the other side of the way, perched on another hill, elevated by the dee]) 
grading of the road, is a building which was once a temperance hall. it 
is now a dwelling. Richard Lanalian's ])retty new frame cottage is t)n the 
other side of the road. In the valley below is Lawrence's Mill, or rather 
mills, as both a grist and saw-mill are located here. They make a ]irett\- 
picture, and the water scene below the road is remarkably beautiful. 

L.wvrence's Milt-S. — "Henry Lawrence and his sons, Thomas, Mor- 
decai, and William," according to Ashmead, owned the saw-mill which was 
built on Darby Creek at the West Chester Turnpike, about the beginning 
of this centurv. There had been '"an old fulling-mill on the north of the 
tm-n]>ike. jiroljaldy owned by Humphrey Ellis in 1790." The grist-mill was 
erectetl by William Lawrence. John E. Stanley and his father leased the 
mills. Clement Lawrence owns them and the adjoining farm on the south 
of the Pike. He lives on the farm, and rents the mill. The farm north of 
the Pike belongs to his sisters. ( )n another farm near-b)- lived Dr. Law- 
rence. His daughter, Mrs. L. L. (irifVm, is an authoress; she resides in 
Philadelphia. The post-ofitice in the mill is named Adele, from Congress- 
man John B. Robinson's daughter. 

Marple is first named in Chester County records in 1684. 

The parish of Ahtr])le in England drew the attention of Mary Rhoads 
Haines, who mentions it in Clo\'ercroft Chronicles, jip. 108-9. 

In 1788 this neighborhood was deeply alTected by the drowning of the 
beautiful and estimable L\(lia llollingsworth. She was betrothed to David 



36o RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

Lewis. Slie and her lover and a female friend and a driver went in a sleigh 
from Piiiladelphiatojoshua Humphrey's, near the Haverford meeting-house. 
and on to Newtown. Rain fell; Darby Creek rose; in drawing near the ford 
between the Presbyterian Church and Coopertown theywere warned against 
crossing the swollen stream, and told of a "temporary bridge in the meadows 
abo\'e.'" There the\- dro\e, and found the water rushing above it, and the 
driver would not advance. "Lewis took the lines, and, missing the bridge, 
plunged the whole part}' into the Hood. All were rescued but Lydia, whose 
body was not found until the next morning. The feelings of Lewis can be 
more readih' imagined than descril)ed. The young lady was buried at 
Friends' graveyard, Haverford. In some pathetic rhymes written on the 
occasion it is stated that 1,700 persons attendeil her funeral." — Dr. Smith's 
History of Delaware County, p. 392. 

Broomall. — Ashmead states that a stone house erected "by Hugh i^ 
I\ei)ecca Lownes" has "the date-stone, 

L. 

H. R. 

1798. 

built into the walls." This was "the Drove Tavern, David Reed being the 

first landlord." it is no longer a public-house. 

The i)ottery "at the ninth mile-stone" was built by Benjamin Jones 
in 1841. It has jiassed awa}'. In 181S Ashmead notes that John Craig 
conveyed a j^iece of ground at Broomall for a dollar to Lewis Morris, John 
N. Moore, and George Thomas, Trustees, providing that a school-house 
should be built on the lot. A stone house was built in 1818, and transferred 
to school directors imder the. new law. In 1835 a two-story house was 
built, the up]H'r story being a hall. ( )f late this has been demolished, and 
a fine new building of two stories erected a little nearer to the tiu"npike than 
the old one. 

riie Buck Tavern lay "on the State Road leading from Philadeliihia 
to West Chester and Strawsburgh to Lancaster," now the \\'est Chester 
I'ike. lose]>h X'ogdcs was the host here from 1807 to 1813. ;uid from 1816 
to i8i(). \';irious L'uidlords fi)llo\\'e<l him, but the house has long ce.'ised 
to be a hotel. 

Cieorgc Brooke's house recei\es notice in Ashmead's TIistor\' of Dela- 
wai'c Couulw Captain \\ illiam lirook, of the Rex'olution, w.'is his ancestor. 
The unpainted dwelling was built in i8_^3. When .\shmead wrote "a tall 
eight-d;i}- clock" did duty. In a British raid in 1777-78 this clock, which 
the famih- liad owned over lifty years, was carried by the troops to i'hiladel- 
])hi;i. It was "reco\'ered b\' C';i])tain Brooke" aftt'r the e\;icuation of the 



RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 361 

city. A cliest of drawers, niatlc in 1736, was so fastened by secret springs 
tliat tlie British soldiers could not open them. 

According- to Ashmead's sketch of John M. Moore his grandfather 
Charles settled on "the homestead farm in 1718." "He married Mrs. Eliza- 
beth llaker, and had children, William, Hannah. Margaret, Rachel, and 
Philip. Philip Moore and his wife Mary were the ]iarents of children, John 
M., William, Elizabeth, Phebe, Hannah, and Jane." John M. was born in 
1781 on his father's farm. "He married Elizabeth, daughter of Hugh. 
Jones, of Marple Township, and had children, I'hilip, Charles (deceased), 
Mary, William, PhebeM., John AL (deceased), Hannah (deceased), H. Jones, 
J. Hunter, Elizabeth J. (Mrs. Campbell MacPherson), and Margaret B." 
Mr. Moore at his marriage inherited the homestead, and farmed it "until 
i8ji, when the property now owned by his son, J. Hunter Moore, l)ecame 
his home, on which the substantial stone residence, still standing, was 
erected. Here he continued the active and healthful employments of a 
farmer until his tleath, March i8th, 1865, in his eighty-fifth year." The 
"homestead farm" became the residence of his son, Philip Moore. 

Charles Moore was "an active member of St. David's Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, of Radnor (a.s was also his son Philip), and a vestryman, 
John AT succeeded to the same office in this historic church." Wm. Rhoads 
and his wife, .\nna P. Lewis, of Newtown, and John Dunwoody and his wife, 
Ciulielnia Fell, and Da\id Peterman receive honorable notice in iVshmead's 
valuable History of Delaware County. James Dunwoody, of Newtown 
Township, is also remembered. He died in 1883. His sons are William 
H., Charles, John, E. Evans, and J. F'eiu-ose. 

The H. Jones Moore farm at the ninth mile-stone on the West Ches- 
ter Turn]iike contains eighty-four acres. This is a portion of Charles Moore's 
tract, who came from England to this country. This tract co\-ers the 
farms of Philip Moore and J. Hunter Moore, and the Rigby estate, and the 
Isaac Briggs farm, and the Jones farm, now owned by Stuart W^ood. The 
lUick Tavern proi)erty was also in the tract. The nice farm-house of stone 
was built in 1868 by the jiresent owner. The Presb_\-terian parsonage 
]iroperty and Rev. Dr. Hotchkin's land was taken from this farm. The 
descendants of Charles Moore who now reside in this neighborhood are 
H. Jones, James Hunter, Miss Phebe Moore, and Mrs. Elizabeth J. 
MacPherson, of Radnor Townshij). .\nna R. Brooke, daughter of Benja- 
min Brooke, of Ciulf Mills, became the wife of H. Jones Moore. The chil- 
dren are Nathan B. and S. Phebe (now Mrs. J. F. T. Lewis), and Anna AL 
and Plannah P>. Aloore. 

The James Hunter Moore f.arm on the Pike just belmv that of 11. Jones 



i62 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

Brooke was tlic oUl family homestead. John M. Moore built the old stone 
house. I k- was the father of James Hunter Moore. 

riiilij) .Mo(_)re. the eldest l)r<jther of this family, became owner of the 
farm between H. Jones and J. Hunter Moore. Sir John Moore was of this 
famil}'. l\e\-. William Burkitt's E.x]:)Osition of the X'ew Testament is 
owned by the Moore family. It was the ])roi)erty of the tirst-named 
Charles Moore, gi\en him liy \\ alter Jesse. It was printed in iy-4 in 
London. 

The Broomall corres])ondent of the Delaware County Aiiicrlcan (Sep- 
tember 2f)th. A. D. iSijf)). thus notes a death in this family: 

",\11 the community feel that the death of Mr. Moore has taken from 
us one of the kindest of neighbors, and it will be long before his familiar 
form and friendly greetings will cease to be missed among us. The house 
which he built in earl\- married life upon his portion of the ancestral acres 
has been a lovely liome where hospitality was counted a cardinal virtue. 
The interment was at St. David's, where the family have been buried for li\c 
generations. The original family estate in the earl\' settlement here was a 
thousand acres, extending from the Springfield Road to Darby Creek. ;md 
bevond our jjresent Coopertown Koad. As a School Director Mr. Moore 
will be missed, and also in local politics his loss will be felt. lie did not 
care for odice himself, but he wanted good men and fair dealing." 

On October 29th the following appeared in print: 

"There was a very quiet wedding at the home of Mrs. 11. Jones Moore 
im the i4lh inst., when her daughter. Miss Anna II. Moore, was married 
to Dr. Warren L. Rhoads. 'ihe young couple are enjox'ing the jdeasant 
home in Lansdowne, which was in readiness for tliem." 

II. [ones Moore informed me that his early recollections of i5room;dl 
included the tavern, the store, and black t'harley"s (Stewart) log-house on 
the site of the blacksmith sho]). now carried on by .Samuel I'ancoast. The 
shop is owned I)}' Mrs. Louisa Dickinson. The first school-house in the 
neighborhood stood on H. Jones Moore's farm, and his father. John M. 
Moore, tauglit in it for a time. He also had a store on the pike near the 
gate of the farm of 1 1. Jones Moore.. 

James A. Moore, who married Eliza Ann Lindsay, receives a worthy 
notice in .\shmead's History. lie held townslii]) offices, and was "both an 
I'.lder ;m(l Trustee of the Marjde I'resbyteri;in C hurch." 

The John ]•'. Taylor place was a farm of 1 12 acres, purchased from 
l\obei-t (ireen. It had formerly belonged to the Craig family. The large 
sr|uare house was built b\' Mr. T.'iylor in 1N33. The old farm-house was 
•nfterward deniolishecl, and se\errd \ears after .'mother w;is built ;is ;i ten.ant 



n 

c 




RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 365 

liouse. Mr. Taylor died in iN<;.v He was well known as a leadiui;- fanner 
antl a temperance advocate, and a pillar of Bethesda Methodist Church, 
near Manoa. 

Mr. and Mrs. Horace G. Brooke and Miss May E. Lewis now occupy 
the house and several acres of ground, most of the farm having been sold 
to Walter and Stuart \\'ood by Mr. Taylor. Mrs. Brooke and Miss Lewis 
are gramldaughters of Mr. Taylor. 

A blacksmith shop on the pike where tiie road running to Marple 
Church connects with it, was conducted by William H. Arters. Joseph 
W. Flounders started the business, and lived several years in the adjoin- 
ing neat cottage, afterward occupied by his widow, Mrs. Susannah 
Flounders. She lias sold the property of one and a quarter acres to Wil- 
liam P. Hippie. Pretty Broomall (iro\e. with its ancient trees, on the ne.xt 
property, belongs to the Morgan estate, and is rented by the trolley com- 
pany as a picnic woods. 

Marple Presbyterian Church. By Rev. C. H. Rodney. — The 
corner-stone of Marple Presbyterian Church was laid in A. D. 1834, and 
the church organizeil in 1835. l\ev. John L. Grant officiated l)oth in the 
corner-stone laying anil in dedicating the building. The succession of 
pastors is as follows; Seth Buimell, A. D. 1835; John M. Bear, 1836-1838; 
John Macknight, 1839-1843; Marcus E. Cross, 1844-1851; J. Addison Whit- 
aker, 1851-1852; A. Rood, 1852-1857; James C. Laverty, 1857-1859: Beriah 
Bishop Hotchkin, D. D., 1859-1878: William P. Patterson, 1879-1884; 
Caleb Hunn Rodney, from 1885 to the ])resent. Two former pastors are 
buried in the cemetery, J. M. Bear and B. B. Hotchkin, D. D.. whose pas- 
torate was the longest and best remembered thus far, continuing nearly 
twenty years. The original members were as follows: John Lindsay and 
Sarah, his wife: Andrew Lindsay and Christiana, his wife: Mary Craig, 
Maria Craig, Ann Peterman, Jas. Hunter and INLirgaret, his wife, and Ellen 
Curwin. The tirst elder was John Lindsa\-. Mari)le Church is a daughter of 
Miildk'tdwn Church, and the mother of the r)r\n ]\lawr Clun"ch. The 
church Ijuilding is of stone, and was built on ground formerly belonging to 
the Craig family. Much voluntary labor was expended in preparing and 
drawing stone, and the whole cost of the structure was e.xceedingly small, 
e\en for the times in which it was erected. It is the only church in the 
township of Marple now in use. The manse was erected in i860, and oc- 
cupied in the following year. The June festival is a marke^l peculiarity 
of Marple church-life. It is usually held out-of-doors in the adjoining 
grove, or under a tent. Another marked thing about Marple Church is 
that her doors are ever open on the Sabbath, and are ne\'er closed winter 



366 A' URA L I 'EXXS ] 'L ! 'A XI A . 

or suniiiKT. The niissiunary spirit is well developed liere, too; the differ- 
ence between home expenses and that which is sent away is \ery much 
smaller than in a majorit}- t)f churches. 

'I'he succession of Ruling Elders is this: John Lindsa}', Jas. A. Aloore, 
Adam C. Eckfeldt, Archibald Gray. John F. Van Lear, William Van Lear 
Black, Charles G. Neal, Joseph Watson, James Lewis, Lewis Morris Lewis, 
John i'j. Thomas, M. D., Geo. Paschal, Jas. P. Dunwoody, William C. Haw- 
kins. William Jones Neal. 

We add to the above notes that Rew Caleb Hnim lv()dne\- married .\nn 
Si])ple W a[)les, who was born in Dover, Delaware. Tlieir children are: 
Alary Ivodney and Warren Brown Rodney. The daughter is teaching in 
the Newtown Collegiate Institute in Newtown. X. J., and the son gradu- 
ated at Haverford in June. 1897. The Rev. Mr. Rodne)- has served this 
parish long and faithfullw lie was educated at Princeton College and 
Princeton Theological Seminarw 

Rev. B. B. Hotchkin, 1). D. — 'flie llotchkin family are of luiglish 
origin. The name comes from Roger, which makes the word Hodge, and 
kin is a diminutive of famili;n-ity or alTection. John Hodgkin. Suffragan 
Bishop of I^>edford, who assisted at the famous consecration of Archbishop 
Parker, bore this name. The grandfather of Dr. Hotchkin was Rev. 
Beriah Plotchkin. a Presl)yterian di\ine who was the first Presbyterian min- 
ister to plant the banner of his faith on the west side of the Huilson River 
at Greenville, a lovely \-illage lying at the foot-hills of the Catskills when 
the country was a wilderness. His memory is yet green in that region 
where he labored for Christ riding on horseliack througli the new land. His 
son. Re\'. j.ames Hervey Hotchkin. was also a Presbyterian clergyman who 
labored faithfully for the Master in Western .\ew \'ork. and wrote an 
octa\-o Nolume on the llistor\- of Western Xew N'ork. and of the Presby- 
terian Church in that region. I'he wife of Re\. 1 )r. P>. l'>. Hotchkin heard 
the grandfather, the son, and her husband — the son's son — preach in one 
da\'. The author of this work makes the fourth generation in the Christian 
ministrw so that tlie fami]\ ni;i\ lie reckoned with the M c intgdnierys in 
this \olnme in that wa\', nr cuniprued with the .\ndersons. ot Ardmore. in 
medical descent. 1 )i". I'.eriah I'.islin]! Ibilchkin was born in lUoomlicld. 
.X. ^'. ilis latter life was s]ient as ]ia^loi- of .\!ai"ple (.'hurch. for years 
he was tlie Philadel]iliia correspondent of the Xc:<' )'orl; lii'mii^clisl. under 
the management of Rew Dr. I'ield. introducing Christian ])hilosophy and 
hea\'enly teaching into his weekly contributions. He ilied October 13th. 
i8-,S, in his 73d year. The ['.iviificlist (October -'4th. 1S78, said of him 
that he w;is "greatK- esteemed" by the "pasturs in Philadelphia" "as a man 



RURAL rENNSYU'ANIA. 367 

of excellent abilit}', both as a writer and (jreacher." Hi^ brethren honored 
him in oflice. His special friend, Re\'. Dr. II. C McCook, wrote of him in 
the same paper (October 31st, 1878). that he "combined the elements of 
strength rod beauty. The sanctuary of his heart was in this respect a true 
mirror of the holy temple of God. If e\er there was a saintly man on this 
earth, that man was Dr. Hotchkin." He was deeply impressed with a 
lecture by him preparatory to the Communion, when he spoke in a chaste 
and beautiful manner to his countr\' flock in "one of the nol)lest expositions 
of the 'Ahnin'htiness of Lo\e in the (iift of (.jod, and the Passion of 
Golgotha," " he had e\"er heard, and which he wished he could "reproduce" 
"to preserve t\)r the use of the Christian Church." This "good Doctor" 
was r'ermaneut Clerk of the Synod of Philadelphia, a member of the L'oard 
of h^ducation, and a Trustee of Pincoln L'ni\'crsit\', hax'ing the interest of 
the Freedmen at heart. Dr. McCook continues that, "in the family, the 
fragrance of his life as the saint, the father, and the husband, lilled .all the 
house like the |)erfume of Mary's broken flask of uarcl" through all the 
year like "spicerv that flowed forth out of the garden of his heart." co\-ering 
those who shared his blessed home. A writer in Kew Mr. Noble's Cen- 
tury of Gospel Work, in noting Dr. Ilotchkin's life, describes his wife as 
"a lady oi excellent family, of attractive person, engaging manners, and fnic 
natural abilities." Ashniead's History of Delaware County says that Dr. 
Hotchkin was "highl\- esteemed by his congregation, his ministerial brethren, 
and all who knew him." I add that Fdizabeth .\. h^itch, when she was united 
to her luisbauil. pi-o\ed a rc;d helpmeet, and in home or parish work ever 
sustained him and her family in man\- a cross and care by that cheerful, 
sunny disposition, fed by Christian hope that can bring light into the 
darkest day. The Fitch family were English by descent, and held a high 
position in N'ermont in an earlv dav'. Rev. F.beuezer Fitcli, the lirst Presi- 
dent of Williams College, was one of them. I\ev. II. 11. Kellogg, of Mt. 
Forest. Illinois, wrote to the FA'ciiigclist of "the sweet inllnence of per- 
sonal intercourse" with Dr. Ilotchkin. Let me say that this inllnence 
was abiding, and fi'iends and jiarishioners sjieak of him as if newly dead, 
though he has been in Paradise for many a long vear. as poor mortals count 
time. The learned author. Re\-. Dr. James W. Dale, wrote in the Clicsfcr 
I'allcv Union (Coatesville, Pa.), in the "Religious I)ei)artment," edited by 
Rev. James Roberts (January 31st. 1880). in a lengthy sketch prepared "b_v 
appointment of the Preslntery of Chester: " "As a man our late fellow 
Presbyter was distinguished for breadth of intellect, soundness of judgment. 
amial)ilitv of disposition, wisdom in counsel, firmness of jjurjKise, and un- 
selfishness of siiirit." The Doctor receivetl his Doctorate in Theoloii'v Iron; 



368 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

Lafayette College. In his country churchyanl a stone erected to his wife 
bears the striking Scripture quotation, selected by himself after her death: 
"The morning cometh."' and his own echoes beautifully the thought 
by another word of God, "A morning without clouds." So husliand and 
wife await the endless morning and the call of Christ to a happy resurrec- 
tion to immortal life. 

Dr. Hotchkin was an incessant and useful writer. "Upward From 
Sin, Through Grace to Glory," was a \olume issued b\' the Presbyterian 
Board from his pen. "The Warning From the Oak" was a lesson on 
Absalom, for the young, published by the American Sunday-School 
Union. "The Soldier's Scrap-Book" was a jiamphlet of the Presbyterian 
Board, which had a large circulation during the Southern War among the 
United States troops. The Doctor was deeply engaged in the Christian 
Commission work, and \isited the tield in evangelistic labors. "Intidelitx' 
Against Itself" was another \olume from his busy pen. He worked in the 
Christian Obsci-irr. of Philadelphia, mider Rev. Dr. Converse, and with Rev. 
Dr. Mears, in the Aiiicrican Prcshytcriaii. as Associate Editor. He was an 
editor in early life. His self-control and sense of humor were sterling points 
of his strong character. The Doctor's two daughters. Miss Alice Rebecca 
and Miss Helen Hotchkin, long conducted Hillcroft School at the family 
home at Broomall, where a reunion of ]nipils not long since showed appre- 
ciation of work. These ladies still reside at Hillcroft. One brother. Dr. 
Gurdon Beriah Hotchkin. who was an army surgeon in the war. lives in 
Altoona. and his daughter Elizabeth, and his son William R.. and his wife 
reside there. The only other member of the family is the author of this 
\-ohnne. 

The neat house next to that of the Misses Hotchkin, toward the Pike, 
is owned and occupied by Joseph L. Downs, for whom it was built a few 
vears since. Dr. J. Morris Moore was long and \ ery favorably known as a 
jjhvsician in this community. He owned the place on the corner of Radnor 
and Coo])ertown Roads. He was the son of John M. Moore, of Mar]ile. 
I lis faithful wifewas Margaret lirookc l>in(ls;iy.,'in(l ihcyare buried side bxside 
in M;ir])le Presbyterian churchyard. Their children were Sarah (Mrs. Ed- 
ward A. Howard), Elizabeth. X'elma. John Lindsay, James Porter, Mary 
Elizabeth, and Benjamin Brooke. 

riie Lindsa\' or lirooke Farm, on the Coopcrtown Road, now owned by 
Walter and Stuart Wood, contains an old stone farm-house, built about 
A. D. 1790. The saw-mill stood on the I^orio farm, between the larger 
house on the place ;uul Darby Creek. The cutting of the Philadel])liia cS: 
Delaware Countv Railroad destroved the mill, but tlie found.ations remain. 



RURAL PENNSYLl-ANIA. 369 

Tlie Dorio farm passed thri)U;;li the hands of the Junes, I Innler.W rii^ht, 
Lindsay, Worrell, and Dorio families. From the executors of Pierre Dorio 
it was conveyed to Walter and Stuart Wood in A. D. 1890. and is now- 
known as Foxcroft, from which the depot takes its name. 

'Hie John Tavlor farm, now called Middleham, was purchased hy him 
of .\hel Green in A. D. 1850, ;ind aliout a hundred acres was l)oni;iit by 
Walter and Stuart Wood in i8<;_', luit the mansion house was retained hy 
the family. 

The Wm. Jones farm, now styled Tanglewood, is ori the road runniuL;- 
from Broomall to Coopertown, in the \alley, near the bridge, bounded ijy 
l)ar])y Creek. In i8j8 Howell Jones purchased a part of the farm of Wil- 
li.im Moore, and in 1832 adiled another section from purchase of Recce 
Ha\cock. 

The William Y. Carter farm of twenty-five acres in Haverfortl Town- 
ship, now called Bybritlge, by the bridge on the Broomall & Coo])crlo\\ 11 
Road, was deeded by Mary I'Lvans to Recce Haycock in iSiO, and passed 
through x'arious hands until, in iSS(). Walter and Stuart Wood i)urchascd 
it of Mr. Carter. 

The Fox Chase Ta\ern yard, abo\-e I'rooniall. in old days was crowded 
with teamsters" wagons, and the\' stood in double rows along the ])ike. 

The Undsay farm, at the mouth of Ithan Creek, which emiities into 
Darb}- Creek, contains the old, stone, plastered house occupied by Ca])tain 
Brooke in the Revolution. A log cabin of very ancient date is on the same 
farm. 

The Lindsays are a Scotch family. John Lindsay settled in Haver- 
ford Township before the Revolution. He was a farmer and Justice of the 
Peace. He lived on one of the farms owned by the Wood brothers. oi)en- 
ing on the Coopertown Road. Two streams run through the farm, empty- 
ing into Darby Creek. His wife was Miss Moore. John Lindsay heired 
his father's farm after the death of the father on that place, and he, in time. 
also died on the ancestral estate. He had nine children. William I'lrookc, 
James P., I'lliza Ann (wife of James Moore), John C, ^Margaret Moore (died 
in childhood), Andrew Jackson (died in childhood), Sarali Jane ( Mrs. Sanmel 
Reed), Andrew (Dr. Lindsay, of I'.ryn Mawr). Margaret, the secon<l (.Mrs. 
Dr. Moore). The wife of John Lindsay, Jr., was the daughter of William 
Brooke. John Lindsay bought his father-in-law's farm, which o]iened on 
the Coopertown Road. Ithan and Darby Creeks unite on this farm. \\ il 
liam Brooke was an officer in the I\e\'ohuionary army, and was in Darby 
when a Pritish party of soldiers came, but he escaped, having killed one 
of the partv which surrounded him and his men. The night was foggy. 



370 RURAL PEXNSVU'ANIA. 

assisting;' his llit;lit. He was alsu surprised 1)\' iIk- ISritish soldiers once on 
liis farm, l)Ut eluded them in goinj:; throut^ii the thicket at night. 

'"A Country I)e])ot" in the Fratiktord Herald was an article hy the 
writer of this volume, recording his impressions of the heautiful scener\' at 
Fox Croft Station, where the Dorio and Trudell families lived. The creek 
and Saw-Mill Hill make a prett\' picture. 

The Level Store. — The section of the West Chester Turnpike here 
was so level that at one time a race-course ran along it. hence the term 
level was appropriate. The West Chester I'ike was originalK' the Stras- 
hurg Road, running from Straslnirg, in Chester Coimty, to the Delaware 
River. Isaac Lawrence built this store in 1817. Isaac Haldeman followed 
him. Me owned the property now Alfred Milner's estate, formerly Joseph 
W atson"s. The Watson family now own three houses in the ueighhorhootl. 
Henry Haldeman became owner of the store in A. D. 185J. John C\)rnog 
was the next storekeeper during Henry Haldeman's ownership. Sanuiel 
Hale bought the store of Henry Haldeman, and his son, Samuel Crawford 
Hale, carried on the business until he died in i860. 

Harry Roberts rented this well-known store of the Samuel Hale estate 
for a sluirt time, and Harry Johnson followed him: and succeeding tenants 
were John iK: IJernard Haw ley. trading together. 'i"he estate sold the store to 
Edward S. Barber in 1867. who sold it after three years to Garrett William- 
son, who was the merchant for eight years. Before Mr. Williamson's pur- 
chase George Esrey was tenant, and under his charge the Broomall Post- 
ofitice was established, largely under the induence of ]\e\-. Dr. Hotchkin, 
by aid of the late John M. Broomall. of Delaware County, then a Member 
of Congress. The Post-otfice was named in his honor. The establishment 
of the Post-offlce was in 1870. Samuel and Philip Moore became tenants 
of Garrett Williamson in 1878. and in i88_' I'liili]) Moore purchased the 
]iroperty. the brothers ha\ing dissolved ])artnershi]) in 1881. Philip Moore 
enlarged and altered the store, and erected the dwelling adjoining. 

The Dro\e Ta\'ern was the nucleus of the settlement at Broomall. It 
is now unoccui^ied. Just below was the Buck Tavern, long kept by Sanuiel 
Hale. It now l)elongs to William Supplee. Just above Mr. Litzenberg's 
lies Joseph Watson's old home, where he and his good wife led honored 
lives for many years. .Mrs. Margaret Carson and Mrs. Sallie Ralston, the 
daughters, reside in Philadel]:)hia. Since the above was written Mrs. Car- 
sou has left this world to enter Paradise, after a devoted Christian life. Wil- 
liam Suite lives in the Joseph Watson house. 

Perry Litzenberg's ])leasant country home is in the village of Broom.ill 
The house was erected by William Jones. The \n{ of four acres was pur- 



C 




RURAL PEXXSYIJ'AXIA. 373 

chased fmni Jolin F. Taylor. Mr. Litzcnhcrq- removed from the farm 
called "Tlie (iarden of Radnor"' on the (/liester Road, wliicli now l)elons,'-.s 
to P.. F. Clyde. Mrs. Hannah Bailey, the mother-in-law of Mr. Litzen- 
hert^-, was the ])revious owner of the farm. A large part of Mr. Litzenberu's 
life was s])ent as a q-rocer in West Philadelphia. He was horn in Cooper- 
town, ami in early life was a carpenter. Coopertown derived its name from 
the (lerman coopers settled there. The grandfather of Perrv Litzenberg. 
Adam, gave this name, while his own father, Simon, resided there for vears. 
He was an early drover, bringing cattle from \\"esteni Pennsylvania, when 
the cattle were swum over the Susquehanna, young calves being carried 
on the backs of horses. The sons of Mr. Litzenberg are Nathan h~dson. 
Oliver Perry, and Charles Collins. His daughters are Mrs. Elizabeth .\n- 
toinette Vlmontl, Mrs. Hannah 1!. Pricker, and .Mrs. F.nmia MacCain. The 
three sons reside with the father. 

WooDViEW. — This place derives its name from the abundance of trees 
in sight. Alexander Johnson's line stone dwelling is visible to everv rider 
on the trolley along the West Chester Pike, just al:)o\'e P>roomall store. 
Mr. Johnson removetl here eleven years ago from Concord, in Delaware 
Comit)-. The farm contains one hundred and five acres, Air. Johnson hav- 
ing added tilt}'-se\'en acres of the Sarah I"ox pro])ert\' below, and sold thir- 
teen acres to Morris Lewis. Mr. Johnson ])urchase(l of Reese Pvoti's 
widow. This was the Isaiah Fo.x farm. i\Ir. PVott enlarged the farm- 
house, while Mr. Johnson re-built the house and bam. and improved all 
the outbuildings. Mrs. Sophia Johnson was a daughter of Philip Moore, 
of Broomall. The children at home are Mary E., Sarah AI., Hannah H.. 
Margaret E., and Gertrude. Anna J., wife of George Esrev, now living 
on the old Lew-is Brooke farm, is another daughter. 

The following extract is from the Delaware Coimtv American. ])ub- 
lished at Aledia, edited by Cooper & Vernon. Septeml)er 3d, 1896: 

"Fine F.vkm. — In these days when the almost imiversal complaint is 
that farming don't pay, it is a iileasm^e to find a notable exception to the 
general rule, and Alexander Johnson, of Marple, fills the bill to a ' T.' If 
the despairing agriculturist will drive past Mr. Johnson's place on the West 
Chester Road, he will probably imagine that the well-kept buildings, the 
smoothlv shaven lawn, dotted over with flower beds, the fertile fields with 
their fences in first-class repair belongs to a gentleman farmer, who makes 
his monev in some other business and spends it upon his farm. .\ little 
inrpiiry will, however, disabuse his mind of this idea, for he will find that 
Mr. Johnson devotes his entire attention to the cultivation of his broad 
acres. .Mmost everv time we ride past we notice some improvement, the 



374 RURAL PENNSYLJ'ANIA. 

latest l:)cing; a new posl-aiid-rail fence alony- tlie Spriniificld Road, which is 
being put up 1)y CJeo. Mills, a specialist in that line of work." 

Toll Gate No. 5, near the tenth mile-stone, is kept by William Ed- 
wards. C. Burtis Co.x's house and harness-shop is just above, and ne.xt 
above the John Hanly projierty already named is Airs. Hannah Morton's 
property. George McClellan li\cs in the next house, in his ninety-fifth 
\ear. Then comes the Leonard farm, beloni^in";- to Airs. I'ennock Leonard. 
Airs. Evans and her family dwell here. 

Aliss .Agnes Hanlv owns the jjleasant cottage at the corner of Line 
Road and West Chester Pike. This road se])arates Marple and Xewtown 
Townships. Jacob Green owned the dwelling, from whom she purchased 
it; and she has enlarged it, and now resides here with her father, William 
Ilanlv, and her brother, John llanly. John Hanly owns the property oj)- 
posite. formerly belonging to the NN'illiam Gray estate, and another prop- 
ertv joining the Newtown Hall grounds at the Square, formerly belonging 
to the George Yarnall estate. It used to be known as the HockI l-'arm. 

The Dunwoodv I<\\km. — Th.is old farm is on the south side of the 
West Chester Road, a half-mile east of Newtown Scpiare, with the ancient 
school-house for its neighbor. Tt was bought by James Dunwoody in .\. I). 
1848. of his father-in-law, W ilHani Hood, who had jjurchased it of his 
father, Joseph Hood, who, in turn, bought it of his father-in-law, Richard 
I'^awkes, May ist, A. D. 1777. John Eawkes bought of Reece Hent, 
.August T8th, 1 71 J. Richard Fawkes bought of his father, John I'awkes. 
November iXth, 1833. The children of James and Hannah Dunwoody 
are William H., John, and E. E\ans, of Minneapolis, and Charles, who is 
in business in Philadelphia, and residing at Narberth. f-Jichard and J Pen- 
rose Dunwoodv, deceased brothers, are of this familw 

\\ II. 1,1AM 11. Dunwoodv. — The following newspaper notice shows the 
high character of one of Newtown's distinguished sons: 

"The name of William H. Dunwoody is indelibly stamped on the in- 
dustrial liislor)- of the City of AFinneapolis, and, indeed, on the Jiistory of the 
marxelous de\elo]iment during ibis generation of the Xorthwest .asthe great 
centre of the ])roduction and manufacture of llour. He has not confined 
his operations even to this great absorbing piu^suit. He is a leader as wcli 
in the great elexator industrio of this section. In no better way can the 
acti\ilies and success of Air. Dnnwoody's career be epitomized than bv 
s])ecifying the great imdertakings with which he is to-day associated. He 
is A^ice-Presidcnt of the Washbnrn-C ro>by Comiiany, of Minnea]iolis: Presi- 
dent of the St. .\nlhony I'^levator Company: \'ice-President of the Royal 
Milling ("omiianv-; Director of the Xorthwestern P.ank of Minneapolis, .and 



R URA L PUNKS ) X / 'A MA . 



177 



President of the St. Antliony iK: Dakota Elevator Com|)any. Tlic man who 
is charged with the t;-ui<lanee of sucli larije interests must of necessity I)e a 
\ery l)usy man. and ha\e a facnlty for commercial life which ncme hut those 
s])ecially gifted for great undertakings can he possessed of." 

The"eight-sf|nareschool-lunise"in the lane near the West Chester Road, 
is one ot the old landmarks of the neighhorhood, having" Ijeen huilt in 183=^ 
after the st}de of the lirst pnldic school-houses erected in the townshi]). 
There is only one window in each side of the octagon, h.igh up from the 
door, so that inc|uisiti\e urchins could not he diverted from their studies 




Ol.U SCIIOUL lllifSK, DUNWUUDV RtSlUENCE. 



hv seeing what was passing in the road. In 1837 this became a ])rivate 
school, and continued so for several years, as Charles Dunwoody informs 
me. His father, [ames DnnwcKxly, hrst secured a teacher, 'i'he huilding 
is now unused. 

Ashley F.\rm. — The entrance to this f.arm is remarkably striking and 
heautiful. The ancient stone mansion st.ands hack from the West Chester 
I'ike on a hillside in quiet dignity among the trees. .\n old shop and ice- 
house, and a building over a spring-house, and the ruins of the ancient stone 
farm-house, and a lane running through splendid hill scenery were noticed 
b\- the writer. Tn A. I). 1715 tlie name of John Fox appears in the tax- 



37^ RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

list of Newtown in Asliniead's History of Delaware County. Joseph Fox 
occurs in 1799, and Richard the same year. One of the Fox family owned 
a tract of land, a part oi which is now Ashley h'arm. This name was y"i\en 
hy William Rhoads by reason of the ash trees on the place. Joseph Rhoatls 
l)OUu;ht 192 acres of the Fox family prior to 1822, in which year his son 
William occupied the place, lix'inti' in the old stone house then standino-. 
His wife was Anna P. Lex'is, of Springfield. They were married March 
I4.th. 1822, at Sprinofield Meeting, with which the family has been con- 
nected ])rol)al)ly since its foundation. Their children were George, Wil- 
liam, Esther L. (Mrs. Nathan Garrett, deceased), I'hehe, Mary Ashbridge 
(Mrs. Hibberd \'arnall. deceased), Anna, Elizaljeth L. (deceased). William 
Rhoads died in i8f)3. He was President of the Philadelphia & West Ches- 
ter Turnpike Road Company from its construction until he died. "He 
wielded a commanding influence in the township as a man of integritw 
judgment, and intelligence. His religion was that of the Orthodox Society 
(if I'riends, of which he was a ])rominent member." He heired .\shley Farm 
from his father, and built the present house about 1823 and 1824. and moNcd 
in in the spring of 1823. The hnnber was cut on the farm, and seasoned, 
and window frames and wooilwork were excellently luade by hand, and years 
of use can show the goodness of the labor. The family heired this farm, 
and sold it to the PennsyKania Hospital a few years since, though the son, 
W illiam, still resides in the paternal farm-house on his native |)lace. 

WAxmcoT. — This place is a])tly nametl from its high position, and 
the Se])tember day 1 \isited it the wind was loudly sounding its warnings 
of winter aroimd the house. John ( lunkde Thom.'is, .M. !)., erected this 
l)leasant frame dwelling, and moved into it in .\. 1). 187(1. I le had ])racticed 
in the neighborhood several years before this, haxing resided with his 
mother in a house nearly opposite. His mothei- now lives with him, Tlu- 
situation of \\'\ndicot is remarkably line, con nuan ding a splendid \iew of roll- 
ing hills .and lowly valleys to the nor-th. The Thomas family are of Welsh 
descent. The Doctfir's great-grandf;itlier, Jlazael, came from Wales, antl 
settled in N'incent rownshi]), (hester County. His son, Mordecai, 
the grandfather of the l)octor, dm'ing his later life, resided in 
Willistown. Chester Comity. Peims\l\ani;i. Isaac Newton Thomas 
w;is the f;ither of the 1 )octor. lie w;is a ])roduce cmnmission 
merch.an; in 1 'liiladelphi.'i. Me died when llu' l)octor w;is a child, 
.and he was brought up by his mother in Chester X'alley. Dr. 
Thomas was educated mainly ;it Wyers's l>oarding School, in West Ches- 
ter, Pa. I lis medical education was ;it the Lhiiversity of Pennsylvania, 
lie studied under his relati\e, Dr. Wm. II. (Innkle, of Chester X'alkw, .-mil 



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n 




RURAL PENNSVLrANIA. 381 

Iiad practice in Blockley Hospital, Philadelpiiia, and tlien took up his first 
country work in Newtown Townslii]). and lias had an extensive practice. 
ridint;- thousands of miles hy nif;ht and day to ser\e sutTering humanity in 
the dillicult ])ost (jf a counlr\- plusician, winnins;' lo\e and res])ect for his 
dexotion to duty. He is an eliler in the Marple I'reshyterian Clun-ch, and 
the Superintendent of the Sundav-school. llis wife's maiden name was 
Victoria (lunkle. She resided in the heautiful (Ireat X'alley in Chester 
County. I'a. 

Newtown was not in the \Velsh Tract. thonj;h mostly settled h\' the 
Welsh, in the centre was a "'rownstead." and the first Iniyers of lan<l were 
to receix'e a portion of this new \illao"c also. This is supposed hv Dr. 
Smith to have suggested the name Newtown. The PiUcks Count\- New- 
town has a like histor\'. Newtown was organized in idSO, though a tax 
collector was appointed in 1685. 

New Newtown Sou.xre. — The Beaumonts were land-owners here, 
and the Lewises at Old Newtown Scpiare. On August 14th. 1891. Julius 
F. Sachse's article on the New Sipiare appeared in the T'hiladelphia Public 
Lcdi^cr. We liave space onlv to give a small ])ortion of the valuable com- 
nnmication. The "general countrv store" of Mr. Moore is noticed, where 
the Post-otTice is located. The tavern, town hall, and blacksmith and 
wheelwright shop, "and about a dozen houses" form the village. The "test 
station of the Long i)istance Telephone Comi)an)'" is also named. In iSjo 
the Post-office was placed here. Davis Beaumont then kept the taxern 
and Post-office. The sign of the Farmers' Wagon was a "dearborn and 
pair of horses," but this was removed, and gold letters read. "Newtown 
Square Inn." The "up]iing block" used to acconnnodate the women who 
rode to market on horseback with panniers to carry their articles of sale. 
Mr. Sachse's dcscri]ition of the \-arious articles in the country store, and its 
importance in the neighborhood is interesting. I have wondered how one 
man could keej) the run of so man\- kinds of trade. This is the country 
exchange, and here eggs and butter turn itUo dry goods, and chililren 
know that a "mint-sitck" must be a part of the trade. The "Town llall" 
dated back to i8f)8. The first iloor was a carriage factory, and the second- 
story a place for meetings, used by "local societies." On the Bishop's Mill 
Road, running from Newtown Square to Bishop's Hollow, is "an old mill- 
seat on the Ridley Creek: thence it continues until it connects with ihe 
P.altimore Road at the village of Lima." "Bishop's Hollow, three miles 
from the Square, is a romantic glen, which was formerly the scene of great 
activitv and industrv. It was one of the oldest mill-seats in the county, 
and at one time grist, saw, plaster, rolling, and slitting mills were all in 



382 RURAL PENNSyU\4XIA. 

actixe operation in this little \alley. the motive power being Ridley Creek. 
( )f all these enterprises the old grist-mill is alone left to represent the former 
activity. It is said that the arch over the tail-race is a jjart of the original 
mill huilt in i~\~." The "L'nion Liljrary. of Delaware County," is near 
the mill — a two-story building, built in 1S14. of stone, with a roof formed 
of "sheet-iron plates, rolled in the adjacent mill."' It is said to ha\e been 
"the lirst stricth' lire-])r()()f lil)rar\- erecleil in ,\mcrica." The floors were of 
■'concrete and mortar." In 1S43 a rain Hood "washed away the dam," and 
business declined. In 1857 the small remains of the library "were sold by 
the Sheriff for a song." 

Dr. Preston built Thomas Kirk's house, and owned sexeral farms about 
here. Walter Creen's farm, near that of Mr. Kirk, has an in\iting axcuue 
at its entrance. 

Kikkbride's Ins.\ne AsvLtiM, of West I'hiladeli)hia, has a liranch ad- 
joining Newtown Square. It is a healthy location, with "excellent water." 
"Some huiulred acres of farming land" were bought, "and the ]iro])erty 
ma\ be .•-aid to form the northeast corner of Xewlown Square, being 
bounded on the south b\- the West Chester Road, and cm the west b\- the 
Xewtown iS; Paoli Road." "( )n the Samuel Caley farm the mansion house 
has been remodeled for the uses of the new owner." The patients selected 
to sojourn here remain a short time, and are succeeded b_\- others in turn. 
The mati'on was Miss Mosher. 

The I'aoli Road leads 1)\- the Philadelphia & Xewtown S<|uare Railway 
depot, and the old Friends' Meeting House and School, and .\mos Haines's 
farm, and the Henry Pratt estate, and old Xewtown Sipiare, with the ilajv 
tist Church, and the ancient and modern graveyard, and josiah Serrill's 
blacksmith and wheelwright shops. In his childhood Benjamin West lived 
in the house now owned by David Pratt, at old Xewtown Square. It is 
an ancient stone house, once a taxern. on tlie southwest corner of the ro;id 
(icneral .\nthony Wayne's mother and lienjamin West's mother were buried 
in the old gra\ey;ii(l. They were both Seventh-Day Baptists. 

The author of this \dlume felt that he was treading historic groimd 
in his pedcstri.an tour in this imcient settleuieut. A Re\dlntiouarv (icn- 
eral, and a world-wide artist are touchccl. West, in his London glorv or 
his Italian travel, must have often thought of his early rural home, and his 
beloved mother. Patronized by (ieorge 111. ;md praised bv Sir losluia 
Reynolds, he rose to great fame. His reiuarkable pictme of "Christ healing 
the .Sick." and his religious iiaintings for the chapel ;it Windsor Castle gave 
him oi)])ortimitv to work in a heax'enly \\;iy. The old West mansion still 
stands neai- Swarthmore College. He died in London in 1820. 



RURAL PENiXSVLrAMA. 383 

Newtown Square. — Tlie well-known local historian. Julius 1'". Sachse, 
contrilnited an article to the Pliiladelphia Ledger on "The 0\<\ S<|uare." 
wortliy of consideration here. The road from Chester to the Great X'alley 
runs through this old settlement. .\ short ride from the modern Sciuare 
hrings one to the Friends" Meeting, dating to 1791. in the huilding now 
standing, antl the writer of the jiresent xtdume has ohscrx'ed its quaint an 
ti(|uit}- in its pleasant country surroundings. In i(i)'i Welsh settlers es- 
tahlished a meeting at \\'illiam Lewis's house. In 1711 a meeting-house 
was finished in the hurial ground. It was a small and plain stone huilding, 
a part of the walls were retained in the present editice. .\. ■'sliding'" par- 
tition, and gallery, and unpainted Ijenches were in tlie building. A wood- 
stove, with "Rebecca Furnace" on it. used to puzzle the author of the 
Ledger article in his boyhood as lie pondered over the history of Rebecca, 
and her connection with the stove. Let me add that iron-masters hon- 
ored females in their families by thus naming their furnaces, as the names 
of vessels are gixen in like manner. .\ little cu])l)oard contained the librarv. 
The "u])])ing block" still stands without, like Longfellow's "prime\;il 
forest" in "Evangeline."' ( )f late the meeting-house has been remodeled, 
and carpet and cushioned benches show novel changes. In 1815 an "eight- 
s'.juare'" school-house arose, and in 1885 the present large school building 
took its place. This is a branch of the school at Race and I-'ifteenth Streets. 
When the article was penned Miss Elizabeth Lloyd presided here, assisted 
by Miss Anna Darlington. Meeting-house and school are on a hill. On 
lower ground near-by Nathan Pratt had a tan-yard, and \ats can yet be 
seen. This business has vanished. The early farmer sold hides, oi- had 
them made "into leather for shoes or harness."' (I here interject that the 
ancient shoemaker, and also the tailor used to go from house to house to 
(\o their work, as the dressmaker does to-day.) 

"The Old Scjuare" is at the intersection of the Newtown and ( loshen 
Roads, three-quarters of a mile from its modern rival, and four nnles from 
Coo]iertown. "The Goshen, or Havcrford Road" was "laid out in 1687. and 
opened to Cioshen in 1711)." I'cnn ])lanned a townstead here, as "the first 
inlantl town west of Philadel])hia," according to Holme's ma]) oi ifuSi. 
Lots were to be given to land buxers in the township according to the pro- 
])ortion of acres bought, as was done in Philadelphia. The roads crossing 
at right angles "were called res]iectively the Newtown and Goshen Street 
Road." (I must add another interjection. Street is from the Latin strata. 
paved, :'ia. wav, being understood: and the iMiglish l>rought the term from 
their countrv. where W'atling Street and three other national roads bore 
the name, which we confine to city thoroughfares. See my History of the 



3^4 RURAL riiXXSYLrAXIA. 

Old Yorlc Road for an account of these Roman Ivoads.) Like many of 
Penn's expectations the plan of settlement failed. His life was in^leed (;nc 
of "Clreat Expectations," hut his ideas siu"\ive in this free land, if his s])ecial 
designs were not effected. A hrick kiln was planted "in the \vA(\ wliich 
forms the northwest corner of the present 's(|uare,' and other enterprises 
were encouraged, hut all to no purpose. Two old huildings yet remain. 
The one i>n the SDiuhwest corner, now in the possession of the Pratt fam- 
ily, shows little signs of its age or former importance, having within late 
years been rougii-cast and kept in thorough repair. This house was huiU 
in 1742 hy one Francis Elliot as a public house, and a license was granted 
him the following _\ear. The house was substantialh' built of brick biuMied 
in the held adjacent, even the inside ])artition walls being all bniU of that 
material." "I'dliot was succeedeil as innkeeper a }'ear later liy John West, 
the father of the celebrated Hknj.vmi.x West, who was in the sixth year 
of his age, and the youngest of ten children." Tradition makes the arli-.l 
an early genius. Mis father was host for h\e \ears. and then is said to have 
luoved "intt) the quaint brick house still strmding at the northeast corner 
of the s(|uare," where he kept a store, and ISenjamin was an acti\e .assistant. 
In 1753 John \\ est again took the inn, known then "b\' the sign ol 'The 
Square.' " In 1758 the artist's mother died, and was interred with the 
Newtown Sabbath-keepers. The boy of seventeen went to ap])renticeshi]i 
at Eancaster "to a whitesmith." Pie carelessly chalked ligures upon a 
fence, drawing the notice of \\'illiam Ileiu-y, who befriended him. This 
gentleman was a citizen of prominence. He gave the lad "oils, colors, and 
suitai)le brushes." In less than a \ear West painted his own miniature, 
atid sixt\' \ears after, when he had attained high f;nne, the i)ictin"e \\;i> 
prominently dis])laye(l "in the exhibition of the Philadelphia .\cadem\- of 
I'ine .\rts." It is noticeil in the Catalogue of 1817. The grateful student 
])ainted portr.aits of his benefactor. Judge Henry, and Mrs. Henry, and the 
Judge's son, as well as the son's wife. West was ever grateful to Judge 
Henry, who |)ersu;iiled him to tr\- histoiacal ])ieces. furnishing him "the 
frontispiece of Rollin's Ancient History, The Death of Socrates," Judge 
llenr\' "n;nned his x'oungest son .after the \oung i);tinter," and he "became 
an artist of note." .\l)ont i75S\\est \isited .\'ew ^'ork professionally. In 
1760 he accom])anied .S;inniel Powell to Rome, this gentleiuan defrayiiii',' 
his expenses. "He never retin"ned to his natixe country." John West 
held till' inn till 1738. He w.as bniaiMl li\ the sidi' of hi~. wife in the old 
graveyard. The sign at the old inn w;is in later d;i\> ".\ Wagon," but be- 
fore this, about l\e\'olutionar\ times, the Carpenter's .Squ.are had given 
place to the words, "Newtown Square Inn," N\hicli n.ame it retained not- 



A' UK A L PENXS VLl 'A XI A . 385 

withstanding the attempt to style it "The W'aoon." Onintrv folks are not 
fond of change. In 177S Andrew Wilson was the innkeeper. The noted 
outlaw, "Captain Fitz, or Intzpatrick," used then often to visit the place. 
The hostler was leagued with him. and P>ayard Taylor bases his "Slorv of 
Kennett" on this tale. The Ilritish raided this section in 1777 and 1778. 

"'J'he Lewis homestead on the Goshen Road, a short tlistance west 
of the tavern, served as an American outpost to pre\-ent provisions being 
sent down the Goshen Road toward Philadelphia during the British occu- 
pation, 1777-78. For a time this house was also the headcjuarters of Gen- 
eral James Potter and Major John Clark, of Washington's statY." 

A simple log school-house is said to ]ia\e stood '"south of the Goshen 
Road." it had an o])en lireplace. The desks ran around the sides of the 
room, and plank benches were before them. The backs of scholars were 
toward the teacher, and the birch was ready in the teacher's hand to smite 
the back of any ofifender. In such a school did r)enjamin West and other 
men of note study. In 1817 the house, and names of pupils carved on 
walls and woodwork departed with their owners. These cravings for im- 
mortality are the natural gropings after a future life. West's copy-book- 
was preserved for some time. He used to make pictures, and trade them 
with a sclioolmate for arithmetic work, which was not his forte. 

In the fall of i8(/) .\nna Crawford Twaddell died near Newtown 
Square. She had been an earnest Christian worker in \\'est Philadelphia. 
She wrote a sketch of the history of the Friends' Meeting House at New- 
town Square, which her sister illustrated. \\'hittier, just before his death, 
praised this beautiful work. Naturally of a bright disposition, and beloved 
by her friends, a long illness prepared her for her last great journey. Her 
father. Dr. Henry L. Twaddell, died, and in a fortnight his daughter fol- 
lowed him. She lies in the burying-ground she had so well described. Her 
mother's family, the Lewises, have long been members of this ancient meet- 
ing, and she wished to rest in that j^leasant l>urial jilace. where, she said, "the 
graves have no terrors, but all is peace." 

"The Sabb.xth-Keepers' Resting Pi,.\ce." — Near the llaptist Church 
is the old graveyard, by the side of the neat i)arst)nage. The church ceme- 
tery is in the rear of the church edifice. The "Sabbatarians, or Seventh- 
Day Baptists," existed here until the law of 1794 interfered with their 
worship. A part of the sacred ground had been made a garden when Mr. 
Sachse wrote, and now the stones have been removed from the burial place 
" of generations of the AN'ayne, Thomas, West, Iddings, and other old fam- 
ilies." 

AiUlion\- Wavne's mother's stone is inscribed: 



386 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

"Dedicated to the memory of 

Elizabeth Wayne, 

Relict of Isaac \\^ayne, Esquire, 

Who departed this life 

In the month of May, 1793, 

Aged 84 years. 

She was a woman of distinguished piety and l^enevolence." 

The mother of the great soldier of the Revolution was a Sabbath- 
keeper. Her husband. Colonel Isaac Wayne, was an Episcopalian, but 
she followed "the faith of her parents, and trained her children in the same 
faith, the only exception being her son Anthony, who clung to his father. 
Her conviction she maintained unto her death, and while her consort re- 
poses under the shadow of Radnor (St. David's) Church with his ancestors, 
the meek and gentle wife rests, surrounded by her kin, in this almost for- 
gotten spot in Newtown." Her will provided for a tombstone for her hus- 
i)and and herself, "and also over my four children's graves interred in the 
graveyard of the Seven Days' people in Newtown." (I add that this should 
be a touching appeal for the restoration of the old graveyard. The loving 
mother did not expect such neglect; and if we tenderly care for the new- 
made grave of a dear relative, let us not disregard the sacred dust of the an- 
cients, remembering that our own bodies will soon crave a like Christian 
regard. Many of the old graves were unmarked, and some had rude stones, 
while others were lettered, but all the pioneers deserve a worthy treatment.) 

In Providence, near Newtown Square, was a meeting of George Keith's 
followers, called "Keithans, thence Christian Quakers." After Keith went 
back to England, Abel Noble being leader, they were "known as 'primitive 
Christians.' " Abel Noble had been "a member of Darby Meeting." In 
1697 this "meeting resolved itself into a Seventh Day Baptist Congrega- 
tion, and after the ordinance of baptism was administered one Thomas 
Martin, once a Public Friend, became by lot the first minister." The bodv 
grew, spreading over the counties of Philadelphia and Chester. The sor\- 
ices at Newtown were "held in the various houses or barns of the members." 
In the early part of "the eighteenth century the Friends of the Newtown 
Meeting objected to further burials of Sabbath-Keepers in their burial 
grounds, on account of the peculiar religious services used by the Sabbatii- 
Keepers, a matter which frequently led to questions of discipline in their 
monthly meeting. To overcome this difficulty Thomas Thomas, a son of 
\\'i!liam Thomas, of Newtown, in 1717, deeded half an acre of ground, of 
wiiich the present ground is the remainder, to Philip Rytherach, Henry 



RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 1^7 

Lewis, and David Thomas, in trust, for tlie Sahbath-Keepers. By indorse- 
ment o'l the 1)ack of the original deed, dated September 9th, 1730, the lot 
was conveyed absolutely to the Sabbath-keepers for their use forever." 
The Sabbath-Keepers were highly esteemed, and their worship was not dis- 
turl:)ed, and they refrained from "any labor on the first day of the week 
which could in any way offend or interfere with their neighbors, who wor- 
shiped on the Lord's Day." 

Newtown Baptist Church. — This parish has a church building near 
the old graveyard. Its organization was "about sixty years" before the 
date of Mr. Sachse's article, which I have been following in this account of 
the Old Square. The efiforts of Rev. Horatio Gates Jones, of the Lower 
Merion Baptist Church, mainly produced this result. The organization 
"was perfected November loth, 1832, at the house of Dr. Gardiner, who 
then lived on the Goshen Road, west of the Old Square. Here the meetings 
were conducted until 1834, when an acre of ground was purchased adjoin- 
ing the old Sabbatarian Cemetery, a church was erected at a cost of $2,000 
and was dedicated by Rev. Horatio Gates Jones August 30tli, 1834. This 
church, after lieing remodeled on several occasions, served the congrega- 
tion until the winter of 1890, when it was destroyed by fire, since which time 
it has been rebuilt on the old walls in the present chaste and ornate style. 
The society is in a flourishing condition, and without doubt is upon the 
threshold of an even greater degree of prosperity." Rev. Levi Morse is the 
present pastor. 

The article under consideration closes with the following hopeful 
words, looking forward: "That William Penn's dream of an inland town 
of importance at this point was not realized certainly was not the fault of 
either the Proprietor or the selected location, and it would, indeed, l)c 
strange if now. after a lapse of two centuries, through the building of the 
projected railroad and kindred enterprises, that Penn's dream should be- 
come an accomplished fact, and the projected townstead of Newtown be- 
come a populous centre of commercial and industrial life and activity." We 
can vouch for the beautiful scenery here. The railway mentioned is finished, 
and the station is at the younger Newtown Square, while a trolley line runs 
to the same place from Philadelphia along the West Chester Road. 

The Newtown B.\ptist Church. — The Darby Progress (September, 
A. D. 1896) gives the following history: 

"The first meeting held looking toward the organization of the New- 
town Baptist Church was at the house of Deacon Samuel Davis, in Haver- 
ford, in October, 1832. On the loth of November following the church 
was organized, consisting of the following persons: Richard Gardner, John 



?88 



k'fR.lL rii.\XS)Lrj.\LI. 



Kenzie, F.li Bangs, Harriet Lewis, and Eliza1)eth Ciieney. Tlie Hrst sernmii 
was preached l)y l\ev. Mr. Kitts. Inmi Mattliew \(i : 18. "On this rock will 
1 l)uil(l my church.' In the year 1X34 a church liuilding was erected on a 
lot of liround hought of Richard (iardner. 'rhi> IniildiuL;- was remodeled in 
18 )o, and again in 1873, when a lecture room was added, i') by 3-> feet. 

"The lirst settled jjastor of the church was Rev. Sanniel 1. L'reswell, who 
was ordained in January. 1834. Re\-. Thomas li. lirown preached the ordi- 
nation sermon. The following named lirethren ha\e since serxed as pas- 
tors: Daniel Trites. Henry h'ssick, Robert Compton. John Owen, Samuel 
L. Cox, Charles L. Steinman, J. T. Bender. E. I\[. Heyburn. Joseph L. Sage- 







^^~ ^yu^i 



Newtown B.\1'tist Church. 



beer, F. H. Shernier. and the present incumbent. Levi Morse. Three young 
men liave been licensed b)' the church to ])reach I he (iospel, ami are now 
doing good service for the Master, \iz.: 11. liunter. J. I". Sagebeer, I'li. I)., 
and Re\'. Mr. 1 l.aslam. The largest number ba])lized by any one of the 
l)astors was ninety-three, by Rev. Daniel Trites. Rcw J. L. Sagebeer bap- 
tized sixtv-two during iiis seven years' pastorale. 1 he whole number 
baptized into the fellowship of the clun-ch up to this date is 437. 

"On the i)th of Xo\'ember, i8()o, the church building was burned, and 
the lecture room was also \ery much damaged. I'ut mi \\ eilnesday. Jime 
J4th, 1891, they dedicated their new and greatly improved house, free from 



RURAL PEhiNSVU-AXIA. 389 

(k'i)t. I'lOih tlic exterior and interior arc very nnicli imi)roved. Stained 
glass windows, modern seats, tlie ceiling-, and ornate slcc])le. a hell, a co\-- 
ered driveway, etc., are among the im|)ro\ements. Forlnnatclv the church 
had an architect and experienced huilder in the ])erson of Deacon Alfred 
Varnall in their memhership, who did the work well. The entire cost was 
ahont $3,000. The parsonage, which is a suitahle one, has also been dressed 
up, inside and out, and new roofed since the hurning of the church. ( )f 
the constituent members none remain. The oldest now li\ing- are Deacon 
David Alexander and wife, who came into the church not long after its 
organization. After a long and tiseful life they are now waiting to hear the 
'well done' of the Master, whom they ha\e st) long and failhfulh- served." 

Hillside I*\\rm. — This farm-house is on a side hill, with its barn ;ind 
out-buildings, and deserves the name "Hillside." George Paschall and his 
wife own the place. Mr. Paschall is of Huguenot descent, and the great 
P^rench theological and philosophical writer, Blaise Pascal, was of the family, 
and the name Blaise has been used in the American branch. His ancestors 
emigrated from I'^rance to England. A coat of arms, granted to Thomas 
Paschall, of luigland, is kejit in this famiK. It was gr.anted b_\- (Jueen 
Elizabeth for some honorable action. The design is a lamb on a shield. 
The word pascha in Greek means the passover, and this is e\identlv a refer- 
ence to the Passover Lamb. Thomas and William ['aschall came to 
.\merica. George Paschall is descended from Thomas. Thomas took u|> 
500 acres where Paschallville stands. Cjeorge Paschall married Anna E. 
Thomas, of Xewtown Townshii). daughter of Robert M. Thomas, of Welsh 
descent. The farm has I)een in the Thomas family for several generations, 
the deeds dating back to Colonial days. The children of the present famil\- 
are Robert T., I'.dward R., Lewis M., Henry (I., Elizabeth L. (now Mrs. 
Randall P. Dutton), (ieorge, and John. 

The farm described lies on the rrjad from the Paoli Road to Tryoii 
Lewis's mill. It contains ninety acres. .\ lane through a growing held 
of promising corn leads to the entrance of the farm-house \ard, while an 
old-fashioned garden, which has done faithful serxice for many a year, still 
]ierforms its work. 

(jideon Thomas, the grandf/ither of Mrs. Paschall, built the stone farm- 
hor.se, and the sijring-house, erected by her father, Robert M. Thomas, \et 
docs good service. The grandmother of Mrs. Paschall was Phoebe Men- 
denhall, who married Gideon 'Thomas, and lived to the remarkable age of 
one hundred and four years. She died in Wilmington, Delaware, and was 
buried in the Concord Friends' l)urying ground, l^elaware Coutitx', Penn- 
s\d\-ania. She s;iw Washington ;is he passed through I ).arby to be in- 



390 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

augurated as President in Philadelphia. She was a child, and her father 
told the General that his daughter was very anxious to see General Wash- 
ington. He patted her on the head, and said, "You only see a man." 

Additional notes by L. M. Paschall. — The Paschall family belong 
properly to Darby and its \icinity. The farm now owned by George 
Paschall and Anna E. Paschall, his wife, is a part of the old Thomas grant, 
and has been continually in the Thomas family (maiden name of Anna E. 
Paschall) ever since. Old deeds which are still in the possession of Anna 
E. Paschall bear the date 171 1. Among the taxables in Newtown Town- 
ship in 1715 are mentioned the names of David Thomas, Edward Thomas, 
and William Thomas. The names of Jane Thomas, David Thomas, David 
Thomas (second time), David Thomas (third time), and Margaret Thomas 
were among the inscriptions on the tombstones in the old Seventh Day 
Baptist burying ground. (See Ashmead's History of Delaware County, 
page 643.) 

Elizabeth Wayne, mother of General Anthony Wayne, who is l)elieved 
to have been a Thomas, was also buried here. This statement in Ashmead's 
History seems to throw a doubt on the Thomas ancestry of General Anthony 
Wayne, while there is no ground for it. It is clearly established that such 
was the fact. In 1893 the tombstones in the Seventh Day Baptists' bury- 
ing ground were dug up and removed, and afterward set i:p in a neat row 
a consideral)le distance away from the ashes of those whose resting places 
they are supposed to mark. Among these graves were those of the mother 
of Benjamin West, the painter, and the mother of General Anthony Wayne. 

Crum Creek. — "Near Cromford, which we pass, I was reminded of the 
scenery on Darby Creek below Leedom's Mills, although there is much 
less culti\ation along the American stream than there is here. I think it 
likely Crum Creek owes its name to Cromford, the nc;it market-town that 
was carried in memory by those early settlers in Delaware County from this 
locality, Crom being changed by phonetic spelling to Crum." "This town 
is the birthplace of the great cotton mills of the world, as it was here that 
Sir l\ich;u"d Arkwright, in 1771, established the first cotton mills which 
e\enlually niade liini the foundei" of a wealthy family, whose handsome seat 
is in this neighborhood." — Clovercroft Chronicles, by Marv Rhoads Haines, 
pp. I ID, III. 



RURAL PENNSyWAXIA. 393 



LANSDOWNE. 

Tlie poem of "W'iiulsur l'"urcst" is tledicated Ijy Alexander I'ope to Lord 
Lansdowne. It begins: 

"Tliy forest. Windsor! and thy green retreats, 
At once tlie Monarch's and the Muse's seats. 
Invite my lays. Be present, silvan maids! 
Unlock your springs, and open all your shades, 
Granville commands your aid. O Muses bring! 
What Muse for Granville can refuse to sing?" 

Sketch of I-.\nsdo\vnk. By William P. Drew. — From the Darby 
Progress. March 26th, 1897. Albert Magnin, Editor. — Less than fifteen 
years ago there were scarcely more than twenty buildings an<l less than one 
hundred people all told within what is now the limits of this borough. 
These limits, established at the time of the incorporation of the borough 
in 1893, extend from the Marshall Road on the north to h'airxiew .\\enue 
on the south, from Union Ayenue on the east to Shadeland r\venue on tlie 
west, embracing a territory of only one mile scpiare, bisected, at nearly right 
angles, by Lansdowne .\yenue, running north and south, and Baltimore 
Avenue, ruiuiing east and west. In 1883 on Lansdowne .\\enue (then the 
Darby & Radnor Road), on the south side of the Philadelphia i<: West 
Chester Railroad, there were, besides the railroad station, only seven houses, 
viz.: the jiresent residence of .\bram L. Pennock, his tenant house, now oc- 
cupied as a dwelling by Electrician Airhart, the Price house, the house of 
Charles Wells, since torn down, and three small houses, still standing, in 
Matthew's Hollow. North of the railroad bridge, on the west side of Lans- 
downe Axenue, stood a house, originally built by T. Elwood Bartram, since 
enlarged by William Mecouch, the owner, into the Lansdowne \'illa, a large 
boarding-house, under the management of P. W. Custeed, a soldier in the 
regidar army in the Mexican War, who knew Fremont and Kit Carson, and 
who rode with the troops through those long stretches of wild comitr\- from 
the Mississippi to the Pacific, inhabited then only by savage Indians, and 
roamed over by vast hertls of buffaloes, where now are thriving States and 
magnificent cities. Next beyond this bouse was the house on the corner 
of Baltimore and Lansdowne Avenues, built in 1835 by Mary Owen for 
Stephen Pancoast, and now owned and occu])ied by Richardson Shoemaker. 
The next building beyond was the Friends' Meeting House, and next be- 
yond that was the farm-house of W. .\lbert Johnson, still standing back 
from the avenue. 



394 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

On the east side of Lansdowne Avenue, between, tlie railroad and the 
Alarshail Road, there were in 1883 only two buildings — a toll-gate house 
on Baltimore Avenue, where now stands Hinkson's pharmacy, and at a long 
interval the present residence of W. Albert Johnson, near the Marshall Road. 
On the north side of Baltimore Avenue, in the present limits of the bor- 
ough, there were at the time mentioned only three buildings — first, the plas- 
ter-coatCvl house near Union Avenue, built by T. Elwood Bartram; second, 
the ancient structure, built with imported brick, corner of Baltimore and 
Owen Avenues, in 1732, reported to have been occupied in the War of the 
Re\olution by Washington and Lafayette, now owned l)y Daniel D. Mullin, 
and known as the "Runnymede Club-House," and third, and last, the resi- 
dence of Dr. \\'illard, originally built by Mr. Austin, near Windemere Ave- 
nue. On the south side of Baltimore Avenue stood three houses — first, 
the house formerly occupied as a residence by its owner, J. Wesley Harris, 
since enlarged by him into "The Evergreen Lodge," a boarding-house, under 
the management of Miss Ella Taylor; second, and many squares distant, 
the mansion of Ivan Fox, and third, that of the late Philip J. Walsh. 

In addition to the buildings named were "The Mansion" on Gibbons 
A\enue, formerly occupied as the farm-house of Mv. Kemiey, who gave the 
name to "Kenney's Lane," and afterward liy Michael Gibbons, who gave 
the name to "Gibbons Avenue," and now enlarged as .a boarding-house, 
under the management of Mrs. Johnson. The original house, now much 
enlarged, and owned and occupied by W. H. Ryan, was erected by Robert 
I'lunistead, and is situated on Plumstead Avenue. The last house to be 
mentioned as existing in 1883, and still standing, was Bartram Lodge, built 
in 1800 by John Ball, and afterward owned by John B. Bartram. 

Perhaps nothing can show more clearly the almost marvelous growth 
of Lansdowne than the fact that while barely ten years ago its valuation 
was scarcely $100,000, its valuation to-day is nearly $2,000,000, an increase 
of j.ooo per cent. It is tloubtful whether even the records of any long-set- 
tled jiart of the country can show in the same ])eriod any instance of more 
rapid, and yet healthy, organic development than has been the growth of 
the beautiful little borough of Lansdowne. This ha])py condition has been 
brought al)()ut by a variety of naturally contributing causes. These may 
bo eniuneralcd, without regard to precedence, as — first, its proximity to 
I'liiiadclphia, being less than seven miles from the Public Buildings of that 
city, and less than one mile from Angora, the western limit of that city; 
second, its beautifid topography, presenting a gentle succession of hills and 
dales, its wide and pleasing views from many points, its abundance of shade 
trees, fairly embowering some ])arts in sunnuer. the Darbv Creek ruiuiing 



RURAL PENNSYLW-iNIA. 397 

between liigh banks through the southwestern border of the borougli; the 
romantic, glen-like spot along its banks in Matthew's Hollow, rivalling in 
its beauty many of the most charming attractions of the far-famed Wissa- 
hickon. The summer stroller in this secluded spot may easily imagine him- 
self "far from the busy haunts of men," when, in fact, he is within ;i few- 
minutes' walk from the business centre of the borough. 

Lansdowne has l)een exceptionally faxoi'ed, in that its develupment 
has been almost exclusivel}- in tlie hands of men wdio have cast their own 
fortunes among its people, and ha\'e Ijorne their full share and part in all 
the measures and responsibilities taken for the growth and improvement of 
the jilace. 

I'rominent among the residents who have taken the leading part in the 
de\e1opment of Lansdowne, as referred to. Homer C. Stewart, Caspar Pen- 
nock, William H. Ryan, Henry Albertson, and John J. White should be 
mentiont'd. Mr. Stewart may justly be styled the ]Moneer in the work, com- 
ing here from his former home in Delaware, he, with his characteristic fore- 
sight, at once comprehended the possibilities of the locality — then a mere 
countr_\' handet — for extensi\'e imi;)ro\-emeut. He purchased the large 
])roperty on the southwest corner of Lansdowne and Baltimore Avenues; 
sold the larger part of it, reserving the remainder, on which he built a brick 
block of four stores, which he still retains. As agent of the owner he sold 
most of the "Dickinson tract" cm the west side of Lansdowne A\enue, ex- 
tending several squares northward from Baltimore Axenue, now occupied 
by man\- l)eautiful residences. He also purchased and afterward sold in 
lots the tract of sixteen acres on the west side of Lansdowne Avenue, op- 
posite to that just referred to, now likewise imi)ro\'ed by pri\'ate residences, 
several of which were built and afterward sold by him. Later, in connec- 
tion with Edward .\. Price, of Media, he developed the lieautiful section 
of the borough now known as "Lansdowne Park." a grouj) of fine dwellings 
with ample lots attached, and fine streets and sidewalks. Mr. Stewart is 
the President of the Borough Councils, and that the true interests of Lans- 
downe will ])e carefull\ and intelligently guarded by him is the confident 
expectation of all its residents. Certainly his well-])roved ability, zeal, and 
courage reconmiend him highly for the res])onsible trust conferred upon him 
by his fellow-citizens. 

Not long after Mr. Stewart began his work here Caspar Pennock pur- 
chased the square between the railroad and Baltimore Avenue and Lans- 
downe and Gibbons Avenues, and at once began to improve it. He erected 
the "Pennock Building" near the station on Lansdowne Avenue, contain- 
ing stores and oftices, and a hall for public use. Through his enteri)rise the 



398 RURAL PEXXSYLrAMA. 

rest of the square is covered with handsome and con\enicnt dwellint^s, 
mostly still in his possession, with the exception of certain lots on Lansdowne 
A\-enue, now occupied hy IIil)hitt"s and Shaffner & Stites's fine orrocerv 
stores, and the plunihing estahlishment of William II. Worrell. Mr. Pen- 
nock is still a young man, and, possessing as he does, the confidence and 
respect of all who know him, the borough may reasonably expect much from 
his energy and enterprise as a successful business man, and as a true friend 
to the l)est interests of Lansdowne. William H. Ryan should be named in 
this connection. He, too, is a successful business man, and has contributed 
in no small degree to the improvement of the borough. He is President 
and Manager of the Lansdowne Real Estate Company, and is successfully 
developing a beautiful tract in the northeastern section of the borough, 
which he very a])]iropriately has named "Lansdowne Highlands." It is, 
indeed, a "sightly" place, overlooking a Iiroad expanse of charming coun- 
tr_\', with the city of Philadelpliia filling the distant \iew. Mr. Ryan resides 
on Plumstead Avenue in a house now much enlarged, but originally erectetl 
in 1761, the oldest building in Lansdowne, with the exception of the Runny- 
mede Club building referred to above. 

Other names suggested in this connection are Henry .\ll)ertson, not 
long deceased, whose most eligil)le property on Greenwood Avenue and its 
approaches is rapidly finding purchasers, who desire large and attractive 
lots for residences within convenient distances from central points. 

John J- W hitc, whose recent election to fill a vacancy in the Borough 
Councils is regarded by all citizens as an acquisition, is also actively inter- 
ested in the development of the borough, and his property at "Wycombe" 
is a most desirable site for residences. It will, no doubt, be fully iniproxx'd 
before long. Mr. White is a lawyer of high standing and growing practice, 
to which he devotes himself with great assiduity. He has a bright future 
before him, and is a true and wise friend to Lansdowne. 

The "Piarkcr lUiilding" is, indeed, a structure that would <lci credit 
to any citw It is of granite stone, one hundred and fift\' feet on Lansdowne 
.\vcnue, and sixty feet on Baltimore Avenue, contains four large stores, 
with dce|) basements, on the first floor, besides four offices on the same 
lloor, and twelve offices and an asseml)ly room on the second floor, contain- 
ing all modern improvements and conveniences. It was erected last year 
by the owner, William H. Barker, the first llurgess of Lansdowne, and 
whose retirement from that oftice by constittuional liniitatitm was the sub- 
ject of universal regret on the ])art of his fellow-citizens. His thoughtful, 
wise, judicious, patient, and devoted administratitm was of almost incal- 
culable benefit to the borough in the first period of its existence, anil in his 



X 




RURAL PENNSYU-AXIA. 401 

career as the first Burgess of Lausdowiie lie has set a mark wortliy of tlie 
best emulation of any who may succeed him. 

Lansdowne Friends' Meeting. By William Drew, in the Darhv 
Progress, .April 9th, A. D. 1897. — The great part in advancing the Friends 
taken by the illustrious William I'cnn was ably seconded l)y his successors, 
by none of them more efficiently than by John Woolman, who died in 1772, 
of whom there is a lineal descendant in Lansdowne. His honored name 
itself is worthily liorne. moreo\er, by one of the best beloved citizens of the 
borough — a life-long, faithful rejiresentative of the same faith. 

The Orthodox Friends occupied as a meeting-house, after necessar\- 
alterations, a wheelwright shop on the lot now covered by the new Barker 
Building. In this improviserl meeting-house Thomas P. Cope was mar- 
ried. He was a noted Philadelphia shipping merchant at his dav, running 
a line of packets to Liverpool and other foreign ports, a business still con- 
ducted by representatives of the family. At that time John and Naomi 
Woolman, parents of John Woolman mentioned above as now living in 
Lansdowne. were elders of the meeting. In 1831 the present meeting- 
house was built on the Darby and Radnor Road, now Lansdowne .\venue. 
For the last sixty-six years, without interruption, divine worship has been 
held, in its most simple but impressive form, in this plain but neat and com- 
fortable meeting-house. Jacob Elfreth and Mary Garrett are "overseers," 
and the venerable Henry Longstreth is a member and minister. 

The "heads" of the meeting from 1831 have been John and Xaomi 
Woolman, Abraham Pennock, father of the present Abram L. Pennock; Ed- 
ward Garrett, father of George S. Garrett: Ann Garrett, who died aged nine- 
t\-four years: Samuel Rhoads, father-in-law of Asa Wing, \'ice-Presidenl 
Proxident Title & Trust Company, of Philadelphia; Isaac P. Garrett, uncle 
of the present Isaac P. Garrett, and Thomas Garrett, father of Edward and 
Isaac Garrett. 

W'hen the present meeting-house was built the only houses within \iew 
were the farm-house, still standing, of John Lobb, father of Mrs. W. .\lbert 
Johnson: the farm-house of Mr. Kennev, known now as "The Mansion:" 
an old house now converted into the fine residence of Ivan Fox, on Balti- 
more Avenue; the Owen farm-house, and a log-and-plaster house on the 
lot where now stands the house of Abraham Powell on Stewart Avenue, 
as named in honor of Homer C. Stewart. 

On the separation of the Orthodox Friends from Darby the regular 
monthly meeting was held at what is now Lansdowne, and so continued 
initil 1849, when it was abandoned, and its members became connected with 
the "Chester Monthly fleeting," .so called, although it is held at Media. 



402 A' ( -h'.l L PHXXS } 'L / '. i XI A . 

Tliis monthly meetinef consists of fi\"e "preparative meeting's," one at each 
of the following places: Chester, MitUlletown, Springfield, Lansdowne, and 
Media. The regular nionthl}- meeting is held on last Second-day (Mon- 
da}-) of each month at Media. (Juarterly meetings are held at Media and 
Concord. 

One has hut to recall the naiues of manv of the leading faiuilies in 
Lansdowne to realize how widelv diffused are the Friends among its jiopu- 
lation: the Bartrams, the Pennocks, the Powells, the Levises, the Hibberds, 
the Garretts, the Albertsons. the Conarcls, the Shoemakers, the W'oolmans, 
and many other representati\'e names might be mentioned. 

The following is from my friend and my father's friend. Rev. William 
P>o_\-d, the faithful pastor of Lansdowne Presbyterian Church: 

The original name of Lansdowne was Darby Road Station. This was 
the name by which the settlement was known upon the time tables and 
other printed matter of the railroad. The existence of a station 
bearing the same title, on the P., W. & P). R. R. (/. c. the road which then 
ran from Broad and Prime Streets), led to much confusion in many in- 
stances in. shipping goods, etc. It was difficult to secure a post-office, be- 
cause there was one elsewhere in existence which bore the same name. 
This, among other reasons, led Richard Griffith to consult with Thos. .\. 
Scott, President of the Pennsylvania Railroad, ujion the adx'isability of 
m;d<ing some change, and froiu a list of many names handed to him he se- 
lected the title which the borough bears. For some time after the ado]j- 
tion of the new name the place was indifferently known as Lansdowne, or 
Darby Station, but the new title gradually displaced the old. 

.\ furtlier descri])ti( )n is here added to that of Mr. P)0\-d: 

Lansdowne, one of the most beautiful suburbs of Philadeli)hia, lies in 
Delaware Comitw on the Central L)i\i>iion of the Pennsylvania 1\ailroad; 
is six miles from Broad Street Station, lifleen minutes by tr.ain, ;uid lliirU- 
eight miimtes bv trolley. It is beautifully ^itn;ited on the high ground east 
of and along the l)arl)\- Creek X'alley: has a po])ulation of about forty-five 
hundred, six fine churches, and the I'uiest public school in Delaware Countv, 
the ]>upils of which nundier four hundred, ;ind the graduates from which 
grade ecpially with those from the Girls' Normal School or the Boys' High 
School, of i'hiladelphia, and with the Freshman Class at Swarthiuore Col- 
lege, Haverford College, or the I'uiversity of Pennsvlvania. 

The residences in Lansdowne usually recede from fifty to one hundred 
feet from tlie street line, and are mostly built on lots of about one hundred 
feet front, thus giving the place a most attractive appearance. This result 
is owing to tlie fact that the prices of ground in Lansdowne are, and have 



> 



n 

X 




404 RURAL PEXXSYLWAXIA. 

l)een, much lower than other places with anythino- like eciual advantaijes. 
The houses have usually cost from five to eight thousand dollars to build, 
although many of them run up as high as fifteen t)r twenty thousand. Stone 
is the predominating building material, and the result is that there are few 
places around Philadelphia so attractive in ai^pcarance, and in the social 
and other features. The roads are telforded: the sidewalks are of new arti- 
ficial stone pavement, of uniform width, and handsome ai)])earance. The 
borough is fully equipped with a sewer system. Pure spring water is sup- 
plied by the Springfield Water Company and the Lansdowne Water Com- 
pany, and the borough is lighted by electric lights. During the dei)res- 
sion of the last three years it has been steadily increasing at the rate of from 
fifty to seventy houses per year, and when it is considered that only about 
fifteen years ago there were only ten houses in Lansdowne, where now there 
are more than six hundred, the change seems little short of marxelous. 

Going northw.nrd on the |)ictnres(|ue and historic l)arl)\- and Radnoi- 
Road, and oxerlooking on the left the ra\ine through which courses in tins 
section the Darby Creek, we pass many beautiful residences and fine lawns, 
notably those of Joel J. Uailev, Clement M. i'liddle. Richard \'. Cook, and 
James S. Austin. Further on we are in the settlement that gives the pres- 
ent name to the old "Road" that now is Lansdowne .\venue. We are in 
Lansdowne. 

"Blanchepierre." one of its most attracti\e residences, is the home of 
Francis G. Taylor, Esq.. of the Delaware County and Philadelphia Har. TIk- 
house situated in the midst of a two-and-a-half-acre lawn, at the corner of 
Summit Avenue, is a triumph of comfort and architectural beauty. The 
material is Avond.'de marble, and with age seems to grow more lustrous 
in its bluish-white color. It was erected in 1891. Designed by llazlehurst 
& Huckel, and built by Edgar T. llishoii. a well-known builder of Lans- 
downe. The jiropertv is bounded by three a\enues. .\mong Mr. Tavlor's 
immediate neighbors, which in<licate the refined social side of Lansdowne, 
are Joseph S. Vansant. l^r. W. D. Kennedy, David Garrett. E. \'. Kane, 
James Garrett, Rev. William Boyd, and Walter Jeft'eris. Innther on the 
Lansdowne .\venue, or the old ro;td. now a h.'uidsome telford road in all its 
length, are the residences notably of Robert 1'". Irwin. Samuel M. Clements. 
ex-Sherifi' of Philadelphia: Samuel F. Irwin. W. .Mbert Johnson. .Miss Marie 
Brolaskv. and the Drexel Estate property, and the striking ef¥cct of the im- 
])rovement of the commanding estate of Colonel Drexel at Garrettsford. 
overlooking the Delaware X'allcy, and in view of the City Hall of Philadel- 
jdiia. The drive or bicycle ride through this region is a study and feast of 
law ns and beautiful residences. 



4o6 



RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 



Lansdowne Presbyterian Chi-rch. By Rev. William Boyd. — 
Tlie First Presbyterian Churcli of Lansdowne was organized May 26tli, 
A. D. 1887. Rev. James Ro1)erts. n."D., at that time pastor of tlie Church of 
Darl)y, liad his attention attracted to this held as affording a promising out- 
look for Presbyterianism. Calling into his counsels Elder Joseph L. Davis, 
who had just moved to Lansdowne , it was thought advisable to invite 
James S. Austin and H. H. Cooke at a preliminary conference, at which the 
advisability of starting a Sabbath-school and ])reaching station should be 
considered. A conference was held and a meeting called, but the evening 
ap])ointed was so inclement that but eleven persons were present. But, as 
the outcome of that meeting, the vacant warehouse of Joseph Powell was 
secured and fitted up for Sunday-school purposes, and on the 27th of Feb- 
ruarv, 1887, a school of fifty-one members was organized, and preaching 

regularly instituted. Upon 
the Sabbath following 120 
persons were i)resent, and it 
was at once seen that the 
erection of a church edifice 
would soon become a neces- 
sity. The offer of Mr. and 
.Mrs. W. .\. Johnson to do- 
nate an acre of ground for 
church purposes, le<l to the 
organization of a Board of 
Trustees, and the ai)ptication 
for a charter, which was duly 
recorded and issued June 0th, 
1887. L']M)n the i8th of October the corner-stone of a new edifice was laitl 
in the ])resence of a large and enthusiastic audience, and upon Simday, Feb- 
ruary J7th, 1888, the congregation took possession of the building, dedi- 
cating it to Divine uses free from debt. 

Meanwhile the Presbytery of Chester. ;icceding to the request of fifty- 
seven ])etitiont'rs, had regularly organized a ciunch May J7th, 1887, of which 
Josej)h L. Davis and (jeorge J. Ha\en had been elected Elders, and Dr. 
Roberts had been appointed ])ul])it supply. Dr. Roberts officiated in this 
ca])acity until Ajiril 14th, 1889, when the membership ha\ing grown to 
ninety-seven ])ersons, it was thought ad\isable lo seciu-e a ])astor who could 
give his undivided attention to the dexelopment of the field. L'pon the 
^(\ of (October following l\ev. T. D. Jester was installed into this office, 
and continued in the jKistorate until .\pril uth, 1892. The present min- 




I'RESHVTERIAN CjU RCH, LANSDOWNE, Pa. 



RUKAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 40; 

istcr, ]\c\-. W'illiani T'cn'd. l)cq;in his 1al)ors in T.ansdowne Marcli utli, ii^<),v 
and was inducted into the pastcirate in tlic month of Mav succeedint;'. 

fhc almost ten years of the existence of this chnrcli lias been marked 
l)y exceptional prosperit}- and i^rowth. In matters temi)oral the congrega- 
tion, in addition to the erection of their beautiful chapel. ha\e built an ele- 
gant and commodious manse. The seating ca]iacit_\' of the church has twice 
been enlarged, a substantial addition in the shaije of a church parlor ;uid 
library room lias been built at an outlay of $1,700, and (|uite recently an ad- 
ditional acre of ground has been purchased for $5,500, upon which it is pro- 
posed to rear a beautiful church. The Official Boards are constituted as 
follows: Session, Rev. William r>o\'d; holders, W'illiani B. E\-ans, Thomas 
(1. Janvier, Charles H. Dix, J. A. Keesberry, Thomas Brown, and Henry 
Gossert; Deacons, Horton H. Cooke, Hugh I^unlap, and T. Howard 
Wright; Trustees, Robert F. Irwin, Dr. S. H. (hiilford, W. Albert John- 
son, Leaiider Marshall, Thomas G. Janxier, W. B. Cowan, J. I\I. Andrews, 
C. W. R. Smith. W. S. JetTcris, David H. Garrett, E. K. Facklcr. and T. F. 
Woodside. 

The residence of Mr. John J. NN'ihte, who, while but thirty-thi'ee years 
of age, has been actively connected with the development of modern Lans- 
downe since it commenced its rapid growth some fifteen years ago, is lo- 
cated in the northeastern and most ele\'ated portion of the borough. Wy- 
combe Station, on the Philadelphia iv Delaware County branch of the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, is hardly more than a stone's throw away, and from 
the porches, besides being able to see the tower of the Philadelphia Cit}- 
Hall, one has a \iew up the valley of Na_\lor"s Run, along which are situated 
many beautiful places, including that of the late Mr. Anthony J. Drexel, 
the elder b'allon, a former owner, at one time was counsel of the Queen of 
Spain in America. Mr. White, besides being one of the counsel of the 
Pliiladel])liia & Delaware County Railroad, was largely instrumental in pro- 
curing its construction some two years ago, and is now heavily interested 
along its line, not only in Lansdowne, where he owns some hfty acres of 
ground ripe for impro\-ement, l)Ut also at Llanerch, some two miles further 
out on the West Chester Turnjiike ruid trolley, where he has one hundred 
and fifty acres of the best located ground. 

For Josiali White's residence see West Chester Pike, as it belongs 
among the i)laces of the Sellers family, which are properly classed together; 
and the West Chester Pike is not a very distant neighbor of Lansdowne. 

The Lansdowne Baptist Church. By the Pa.stor, T. Clagett 
Skinner.- — The Lansdowne Baptist Church, situated at the comer of Lans- 



4o8 RURAL PENNSYU-ANIA. 

downe and Summit Avenues, was organized February 14th. A. D. 1887. A 
meeting to talk over the project of organizing a church was held at the 
home of J. D. Mitchell January 25th, 1887. The following were present: 
James French, W. H. Robertson, Casper Garrett, John Curtis, J. D. 
Mitchell, Annie Kochersperger, Annie Robertson, Catherine Mitchell, Miss 
Annie Robertson, and Lillie Robertson. After prayer and appropriate exer- 
cises the following temporary officers were elected: Treasurer, Casper Gar- 
rett ; Clerk, J. D. Mitchell. On February 6th, 1887, a meeting was held to 
select a site for the new Iniilding. A meeting was held eight days after, 
when the following persons were received from sister churches: J. D. 
Mitchell, .Vlfred Phipps, Amanda A. Phip])s, .\nnie Kochersperger, Mary 
Hebrew, J. Melton Lutz, Casper Garrett, John Garrett. Ella Garrett, \Vm. 
Id. Robertson. W. J. Robertson. James \V. Pennepacker, Ljzzie Penne- 
packer. The lot above mentioned was then selected. The corner-stone 
of the Pausdowne Baptist Church was laid on May 24th, 1S87, with appro- 
l)riate services, in tiie presence of several hundred people. Rev. Dr. Calley, 
of the Lehigh Avenue Church, officiating. Recognition services were held 
in the temporary building on June 25th, 1887, and the first service was held 
in the new chajjel on Thanksgiving Day, 1887. The clun-ch has been or- 
ganized ten years, and has grown from thirteen to one hundred and thirty- 
eight members, and is at present in a prosperous condition, with a healthful 
growth. Tlie church has had the following supplies for periods of six 
months, or longer: E. Johnson, Philip L. Jones, D. D., Curtis L. Laws, F. F. 
liriggs. The first pastor of the church was Robert M. Green, who was 
called July 1 6th, 1894. He had charge of the church nearly two years, leav- 
ing Jime _^(1, 1896. T. Clagett Skinner, the present i)astor, w.'is called June 
17th. 1890, and entered upon his work July ist. The present officers are as 
follow s: Deacons, J. W. Pennepacker, Charles Brenz, John S. Wilson; Trus- 
tees. John Garrett, Win. Pharaoh, Wm. R. Smith, Alfred I^". Tilly. Francis 
D. Maxwell; Treasurer, James W. Pennepacker; Clerk, C. P. Ivochersperger. 
Tui', r>AKKi:K Bi'ILt:)ING. — This hue business building of modern con- 
struction, for offices, is a great credit to this borough, and the writer does 
not remember to ha\e seen such a one in anv town of this size before. It 
contains modern im])ro\-ements, and electric lights, and its usefulness is 
shown bv the way in which the rooms are engaged. There are three stories. 
The second floor contains a large audience hall. St. John's Club also has 
a pleasant room on the same lloor. Morgan Bunting was the architect of 
the building, which is of local gray stone, with trinnnings of Indiiuia lime- 
stone. 



4 1 o Rl 'RA L PEXXS 1 'L J \l XIA . 

Mr. William H. Barker erected this huildint;- in A. 1). 189^1. 
resident of Lansdowne. and is engaged in the granite and mar!)le business 
in riiiladclphia. 'I'lie first floor is utilized as a hardware, and drug stcjre. 
and stove store, and the Lansdowne Water Company's office, and that of 
the Tax Collector of the borough are upon it, while builders, lawyers, a 
dressmaker, and a printer and an artist find homes in the building. 

The Lobb Farm. — The Lobb farm covered a large tract of over a hun- 
dred acres in Upper Darby Township, which is now included in the northern 
part of the borough of Lansdowne, which was formed in A. D. 1893. The 
first stone farm-house and residence of the famih- still stands on the west 
side of Lansdowne Avenue. Airs. William Albert Johnson's great-grand- 
father, Thomas Loblj, resided in the ancient dwelling. The son, named 
Thomas, and his son John, Mrs. Johnson's father, lived in this house. In 
A. D. 1858 John Lobb erected the large and comfortable house on the east 
side of the avenue, in the edge of the borough. It is of stone, colored 
white, and an ample lawn, with trees and shrubbery, gives it a very attractive 
ap|iearance. John Lol)l) died in 1877, and the place is now the home of Mr. 
and Mrs. lohnson. The farm siu'rounding the mansitin is called Thorough 
I'lain, and the le\-el character of the ground suits tlie name. 

Richardson Shoemaker's house was built in 1835 by Afary Owens, and 
occupied by Stephen Pancoast, who conducted a general store in it for sev- 
eral years. It was used for store and business purposes by Thomas Gracy, 
Thomas Snyder, J. Brogan, and A. Powell & Son, till 1844, when it be- 
came the residence of Dr. Small. H. C. Stewart purchased the property 
in 1883; remodeled the interior, and occupied it for several years. Mr. Shoe- 
maker bought it from him in 1891. 

SuN.SET View. — This place is properly so styled by reason of the ex- 
tended view afforded from it of the setting .sun in all its glory. We speak 
of landscaiics, but sea-scapes, and sky-scapes are as beautiful. Sanutel 1!. 
Kartram built the very jiretty gray stone mansion at the corner of Lans- 
downe and Fairview .\\cnues. which was ])urchased by Mrs. Mary E. Baker 
nine years ago. She is now the widow of Dr. Iu.lwood B.\ker. 

The Darb\- I'rai^rrss. of March 23th, A. D. 1890, contained an excel- 
lent sketch of the life of the Doctor, whose widow now resides here, and we 
cull from it. Me was one of the "best known physicians in Delaware 
Count\," and was also in reputation in 1 'biladcl])hia. 1 )r. j. M. Da t'osta 
attended him in his illness. He died on .March isl. .\. D. i8()(), at the age 
of fifty-seven. llis father was Nathan 11. Ilakcr. I lis birthiilace was at 
the farm-house on the road from (burch Lane to Cardington. lie was a 
graduate of Jefferson Medical College, and llalmem.inn College ga\e him 



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412 RURAL PENNSYLl'ANIA. 

a diploma. His practice was extensive, and he was loved by all. and the 
poor looked on his as a father. His wife was Miss Mary E. Plnnistcad, 
daughter of Robert Plumstead. of the "Alaple Grove Farm." now a part of 
Lansclowne. A large number of people came to the funeral to pay their last 
tribute of respect to a friend, while many floral offerings betokened love. 
Rev. Robert M. Green, of the Lansdowne Baptist Church, spoke at the 
house of the deceased of the merciful life of the physician. Rev. Howard 
W'axne Smith, of Baltimore, and Joseph Powell, of Darby Meeting, also 
added tributes. The burial was at the Friends' burying ground, at Darby. 

James S. Austin's residence on Lansdowne A\enue is surrounded by 
tlirec acres of land, bought of Clement M. Biddle in A. D. 1886, and the 
mansion of brick and tile of (Jueen .\nne style was designed by Mv. Cuher. 
i\Ir. Austin is a Philadelphian by birth. His father, John B. Austin, owned 
Dr. Willnrd's ])resent property, and used it as a country-seat. James S. 
Austin is President of the Citizens' Electric Light Company, which covers 
all the field for electric lighting between Philadelphia on the east, and 
Chester and Media on the west; and is also President of the Delaware 
CountN' iv Philadelphia Trolle}- C()m])an\-, running on Baltimore .\\'enue, 
between Philadel])hia and Media. 

l'".d\\in T. Darb}-, M. D., D. D. S., dwells in a residence named "Darb_\-- 
deene," on Lansdowne Avenue, just below the Providence Road. The 
house was built in 1884 by Benj. D. Price, architect, and original owner. 
The material is gray stone and frame, shingled and jjainted in Colonial 
colors, yellow and white. The ground formerly belonged to the Lincoln 
estate. Dr. Darby was born in Binghamton, Broome County, New ^'ork, 
and c(hicated :it Cortland Academy, Homer, \ew ^'ork. He graduated 
in dentislr) in i8((5 at the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, Phila- 
(lcl])hia, and in medicine at the Universit\- of Pennsylvania in 1870. He is 
Professor of ( )perati\e Dentistry and Dental llistology in the Dental l)e- 
])artment i)f the University of Pennsylvania. 

The country-seat of Clement M. Ihddle is a comforl;dile anil plea.sant 
abode, with light and cheerful rooms, amid rolling ground, which gi\-es bean- 
tifid views on every side. It is now occupied In Rcw W. T. Maiming, the 
faithful and sclii)lai-ly Rector of the Chnrch of St. jc ilm the lAangeli>t. Lans- 
downe. 

Cni lu II OK Sr. Jonx tiik I'Aanc.kli.st. Py Ri \. W. T. Mawing. — 
The work of the luission of St. John tlu' lAangelist was commenced in h'ern- 
wood, and afterward, on account of the greater growth in popnlation, re- 
moved to Lansdowne. The first service w as lield in Fernwood on Januarv jd. 
the second .Sunday after Christmas, .\. 1). 1881, at y.^^o i\ M.. bv the Rev. F. 



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414 KUKJ L PEXXS ) 'L I 'A XI A . 

Nalbro Robinson, Rector of St. George's Church. West End, Phila(leli>hia. 
The work was continued for some time Ijy the Rev. Mr. Robinson, with 
the assistance of the Rev. Dr. Alaison, of Kingsessing; the Rev. Dr. Fiske, 
and others. After tlie \\ith(h\i\val of the Rev. Air. Robinson, the Rev. R. F. 
Innes became the missionary, and under his charge tlie mission was re- 
moved to Lansdowne. Ground was broken for the foundation of the pres- 
ent church on May 28tii, 1888. The corner-stone was laid by Bishop Whit- 
aker on June iQtli, 1888, and the clmrch was opened for cHvine service on 
No\cmber 11th, in tlie same \ear. The Rev. E. Gaines Nock preached the 
sermon at the first aimi\ersar\- service of the opening of the church, and was 
subsequently aiipointed ]>riest-in-charge by the Bishop of the Diocese. 
After the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Nock the Rev. Charles H. De Garmo 
was appointed priest-in-charge. The Rev. Mr. De Garmo commenced his 
work in the mission on the first Sunday in Noxcmber, 1891, and under his 
charge considerable progress was made. The church was l)eautified and 
enlarged by the addition of a spacious chancel, with sacristy and choir-room 
on either side, and by the self-denying efforts of the congregation the whole 
was entirely freed from del)t. On July 15th. 1896, the Rev. W. T. Manning 
was api)ointed l)y the ilisho]) to the charge of the mission. The Rev. Mr. 
Maiming commenced his work on July 19th, the Seventh Sunday after 
Trinity, and on February 3d, 1897, the required steps having been taken, 
and a i)etition lia\'ing been presented, signed by forty-five male ct)ninuini- 
cants of full age, the consent of the Bishop and Standing Committee was 
given to the organization of St. John the bAangelist as an independent 
parish. 

The writer of this \t)lume is glad to add that much success has attended 
Mr. Manning's work, and a new cluircb on a different site is in contempla- 
tion. Mr. Manning was an instructor in tlie L^nivcrsit\' of the South, at 
Sewanee, Tennessee, for a time. 

'Ibe ])leasant house of I )i". II. L'. I'lartleson, at the cornei" of Baltimore 
Avenue and Kenny's Lane, was built for iiini by Joiin McConaghv in A. 1) 
i89('). It has been occupied by the Doctor since the ist of October in that 
year. The location on the cdrner of the streets affords an ample vai^d, and 
the |5rofession;il man li;is light and air in abinnlance to gi\e refreshmenl after 
the day's toil, when the citizen is crowded in bv brick walls. 

The Doctor was born in Radnor, Delaware Countx', I'etnisvKania, and 
was ednc'ited at the .Millers\'ille .Vormal School, in Lancaster Countw I'enn- 
sylvania, and in Jefferson Medical College, I^hiladelphia (1870). He settled 
in Lansdowne Horough October 1st, .\. D. i8()6, but has been in the ini- 



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R URA L PENNS 1 'L J 'A NIA . 



mediate vicinity for twenty-seven years. Mrs. Bartleson's maiden name 
was Clara X'irginia Thompson. She is a Philadelphian. The marriage oc- 
curred on Noveniljer 26tli, 1873. There are two sons in the family. 

Dr. Warren Lawrence Rhoads was born in Delaware County, Pa.. May 
5th, 1868. He is the son of James S. and Catharine O. Rhoads, his mother 
being a daugliter of Garret and Hannah Williamson, of Marjilc, Delaware 




Lansdownf. Methiidist Episcopal Church, I.ansdowne, Pa. 



County, I'a. Dr. i\ho;ids was educated at the W'e^^l Chester State .\<irmal 
School, the Shortlidge Media .\cademy, and the l'ni\ersity of PennsyKania, 
American Veterinary College, Veterinary Department University of New 
York, from which lie graduated in spring of 1893, and was valedictorian 
for his class of forty-three graduates. He began the ])ractice of his ])rofes- 
sion in Pansdowne in .Septem])cr of the same year, and pvu"chascd his ])resent 



JO 



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3 



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RURAL I'BNNSVLrANJA. 419 

residence of Homer C. Stewart in the spring of 1896, and immediately 
erected a veterinary sanitarium, containing all the latest improvements 
and appliances for tiie benefit of his clientage, and the advancement of his 
profession. In the fall of 1896 he married Anna ]M., second daughter of 
H. Jones and Anna R. Moore, of Broomall, Delaware County, Pa. He has 
always taken an active interest in veterinary association work, ha\'ing the 
unprecedented honor of being unanimously elected for three successive 
years as Secretary of the Keystone Veterinary Medical Association, the 
oldest local association in existence, and having recently been elected to 
the secretaryship of the Pennsylvania State Association. 

For the history of the Moore family see Broomall, on the West Chester 
Pike, in this volume. 

The Lansdowne Methodist Episcopal Church occupies one of the 
most desirable sites in Lansdowne, at the corner of Lansdowne and Strat- 
ford Avenues. Organized about six )ears ago, and meeting in Garrett's 
Hall; then removing to Central Hall, where service was held until the church 
was comjileted. The corner-stone was laid on Thanksgiving Day, 1894, 
and the church dedicated by Bishop E. G. Andrews, D. D., LL. D.. of New 
York, on Sunday, June 2d. 1895. The architect was Samuel T. Milligan, 
of Philadelphia, and the 1)uilder Frank S. Riggs, of Clifton. Rev. Geo. 
Boddis and Rev.T. Norton Hyde were the first two pastors. In March, 1895, 
the Rev. Arthur D. Mink became pastor. The I5oard of Trustees consists 
of Messrs. \Xm. Hunter, \V. Frank English, A. S. Robinson, T. Miller Plow- 
man, Chas. Kerby, J. A. Perkins, Jr., J. W. Ziegler, E. Crawford, Jr., and 
W'm. P. Hood. In all the beautiful suburbs of Philadelphia there is scarcely 
a more attractive church to be found. Rev. Urban E. Sargent was aj)- 
pointed pastor March, 1897. 

The sixth anniversary of the church will be celebrated with special serv- 
ices from ]\Iay 31st to June 6th, A. D. 1897. The church has recently or- 
ganized a Layman's Association, auxiliary to the Philadelphia Association, 
being the first auxiliary association in the Conference, Professor Seymour 
Eaton being President, F. Weir Crenshaw, Secretary and Treasurer, and the 
Executive Committee being Samuel C. Newton, David S. Craig, J. \\i\- 
liam Ziegler, Charles Kerby, and Rev. F. S. LTnderhill. 

St. Charles Borromeo's Church, Kellyville, Delaware County, 
Pennsylvania (Communicated). — In 1827 Kellyville became a mission at- 
tached to St. Dennis's Church, Cobb's Creek, and Mass was celebrated al- 
ternatelv at both places by the pastor, the Rev. James C. McGinnis, until 
Kellvville was made a separate parish. On Sunday, September 23d, 
1849, the corner-stone of the old St. Charles Church. 43 by 63 feet. 



420 R URA L PENNS \ 'L I 'A NIA . 

was laid by the Rt. Rev. Francis P. Kenrick, D. D., Bishop of Philadelphia; 
and on Sunday, October 13th, 1830, the Rt. Rev. Francis X. Gartland, 
D. D., Bishop-elect of Sa^■annah, dedicated the church, which was built from 
the contributions of the Catholics of the ])arish. In 1866 St. Charles's 
Parochial School, adjacent to the church, was built by the Rev. Richard 
O'Connor, the pastor in charge. It is the oldest parochial school in Dela- 
ware County. On January 23d, 1885, the present pastor, the Rev. Matthew 
P. O'Brien, was appointed to this parish, and finding the okl church too 
small for the congregation, began the building of the present church, 63 l)y 
102 feet, on March 17th, 1890, and had it under roof, and the basement 
blessed on November 30th following, and Mass celebrated therein. The 
congregation worshiped in the basement until May 22d, 1892, when the 
Most Rev. Archbishop Ryan, of Philadelphia, dedicated the new church, 
which seats 900 people, and is considered to be one of the handsomest 
countrv churches in the diocese, and one of the cheapest ever built, the cost 
to the congregation being only $17,000. The reason for this is that the 
pastor sui)erintended the building of the church, contracted for all the 
material, and thereby saved the congregation a debt of $18,000. This 
church coidd not be built anywhere for less tlian $35,000. The Rev. Father 
also enlarged the pastoral residence at a cost of $2,700. Strange to say, 
he did not collect one dollar outside of the parish. 

On the 5th of .\pril, 1894, Rev. Father O'Brien celebrated a douI)le silver 
jubilee in his church, the first of its kind ever cele1)rated by any priest in the 
diocese, viz., the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, 
and the twenty-fifth anniversary of his appointment as pastor, in whicli all 
people, irrespective of religious creed, joined in their expressions of esteem 
for a kindly and charitable priest, pastor, and citizen. 

Other work of Rev. M. P. O'Brien. — On .\pril 5tli. iS'k), he was 
ordained to the priesthood l)y the Rt. Rev. James F. ^^'ood. D. D.. from 
the old .'^t. Charles's Seminary. Eighteenth and Race Streets. Philadelphia, 
and innnedialely appointed by Iiim Chaplain of IMockley .Mmhonse. In 
Deceml)er, 1872. he purchased the three-story house. No. ^(iJ/ \\'alnut 
Street, for a ch;i])laincy at a cost of $6,500. On November 20th, 1874. he 
was made ])astor of the Holy Family Churcli, New Philadeliihia, Schuylkill 
County, and on February 7th, 1875, was transferred to tlie pastoral charge 
of St. Kyran's Church, Heckscherville, where he labored faithfully among the 
coal miners until rccrdled on August 1st, 1876. to the pastor;d charge of the 
Church of the Maternitynf the IMcsscd Virgin Mary, P.ustleton,Phi]adelpiiia. 
He repaired this chiu'ch, built u]) the parish, improved the surrounilings, and 
paid off the greater part of the debt. OnOctober27th. i879,hewas appointed 




Churlh ok Si\ Charles Burkomfo, Ki.i.lvville, Delaware Ccl, Pa. 



Page 419. 



422 RURAL PEXNSYLrAXIA. 

pastor of St. \'incent de Paul's Cliurcli, Miners\illc. Schuylkill County, to 
repair that church, then fallin^j into decay. This he repaired, enlarged, and 
frescoed, and paid ott all the debt. In Ma_\', i88(), he purchased four acres 
of land at Kelly ville for $i,ooo, paying for them out of his own private 
funds, and donated them to the parish for cemetery purposes. In 1888 
he caused a county bridge to be built over Darby Creek, adjacent to St. 
Charles's Church, at a cost of $14,000, for the accommodation of the public. 
He also caused many post-ot¥ices to be established wherever he has had 
charge. 

Rev. Father O'Brien is descended in a direct line from the kings 
of Thomond, Ireland, and is twenty-eighth in generation from Brian 
Boroimhe, monarch of Ireland. He was trained to business from his youth, 
being at one time with Sir Josejih Russell, architect, at Tramore, Ireland, 
superintending the erection of buildings. He is also a graduate in Medicine. 
\\'herever a church was to be repaired, enlarged, or improved, the late .\rch- 
bishop Wood sent Father O'Brien to do the work, on account of his ex- 
perience and architectural knowledge. 

RuNXYMEDE. — This old estate on the Garrett Road, west of the Darby 
Road, was purchased of A\'illiam \'. Black Ijy Christopher Fallon. Esq., of 
Philadelphia, A. D. 1850, and he constructed the mansion of stone. It is of 
an octagonal form, the rooms opening from a hall. The building is large, 
and the site high, while surrounding pine trees give grandeur to the lawn. 
The trees were imported from Ireland by the owner. The name comes 
from the old family seat of the Fallons in Rosconnnon Countv, Ireland. 
Queen Christina, of Spain, had appointed Mr. Fallon her counsel in busi- 
ness affairs, specially in deposits in the old United States I'.ank. The Oueen 
in government disturbances thought of flying to this country, and as Mr. 
Fallon built the house about that time, a rumor, lasting a generation, made 
the new house her property, and her proposed refuge. This was an error. 
It was the property of the gentleman who erected it. The husband of the 
Queen was the Duke of Rianzares. Christopher Fallon, Esq.. of Philadel- 
phia, has given me the above information as to the property. He is the 
nephew of the Christopher Fallon who built the mansion. His widow sold 
the property to .Anthony J- Drexel in 1882. 

I\ivEKVii:w. — Garrcttford and the Garrett Road preserve the name of 
an ancient family, whose ])lacc is well called "RiNerxiew," as a jilatcau cover- 
ing a \-iew of the Delaware is a striking feature of the scenery. George S. 
Garrett's pleasantly located farm lies on the Garrett Road, at the si.xth mile- 
stone from Market Street ]'>ridge over the Schuylkill River. The mile- 
stone is built into the front wall that encloses the grounds. I^r. Smith 



o 

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424 RUR.iL PENNSYLJ-ANIA. 

writes tlnis: "William Garrett, with his wife Ann and several children, came 
from Leicestershire, England, in 1684, in company with Samuel Levis, John 
Smith, and Ivohert ClifYe, who lirought with them a joint certificate, which 
they presented to a meeting of Friends held at the Governor's house in 
Philadelphia the 4th of the Ninth month (November), 1684. Immediately 
before lea\ing England he, jointly with Samuel Levis, had purchased 1,000 
acres of land, and they were prepared to locate it immetliaiely on their ar- 
rival. Early in 1685 William located his share in Darby, now Upper Darby, 
where he came to reside. Both William and his wife were consistent mem- 
bers of the Society of Friends, and were much confided in by the meeting. 
Their children were Mary, Samuel, Alice, Sarah, Thomas, William, and 
John, all of whom were born in England excejjt the last, who died young. 
Mary intermarried with Abel Noble; Samuel with Jane, the daughter 
of Kobert Pennell, of Aliddletown: Alice with Joseph, a son of Robert Pen- 
nell; Sarah with Randal Croxton, of Providence: Thomas with Rebecca 
Vernon, of the same township, and William with Alary Smith, of Darby. 
The elder William Garrett was alive in 1703. Ann, the wife of William 
Garrett, lived till 172-'. when she died in Philadelphia." — History of Dela- 
ware Comity. Riverview is on a part of the thousand acres here men- 
tioned. The stone mansion is supposed to contain a ])art of the original 
house. Additions ha\e been made by different owners, and the Ijuilding has 
been somewhat modernized, though the ancient fiavor remains. It has been 
diminished and enlarged at different times. Thomas Garrett, the grand- 
father of George S. Garrett, had a large family, being twice married. The 
first wife was Margaret Levis, and the second wife was Sarah Price, aunt 
of Eli K. Price, Esq., of Philadelphia. This couple lived together here for 
over sixty years. Aliss Ann Garrett, a daughter of Thomas, dwelt here, in 
her birthplace, nearly ninety-four years, until the close of her life. Thomas 
(iarrett, well known as the Abolitionist, was born here. .\n old crane, 
fastened to a tree in the front yard, contains the initials N. A. G., 1744. 
The letters refer to Nathan and Ann (iarrett. Mrs. .Ann Garrett was a 
member of the Knowles f;unily. Mrs. George S. (iarrett was Miss Mary 
Maris, of Philadelphia. Her father was Jesse J. Alaris, for many years Presi- 
dent of the Delaware County Piank, at Chester. She is a sister of Dr. Ed- 
ward Maris. 

.\KCiiiTF.CTt'RK. — lu tliis voluuie architects have been duly noticed, 
W'liat would be thought of a i)icture gallery with no names under the paint- 
ings, and no catalogue? The capitalist finds means to construct a building, 
and the .architect combines the idea of artist and builder: .-nid his ]iicture 
nuist stand wind and storm. an<l prove convenient in use. lie cannot bj 



RURAL PENNSYU'ANIA. 4^5 

a mere theorist, Imt must combine l^eauty and utility, which is no lip^ht task. 
When CnicHus I)nilt a watch tower for the Egyptian king he Iiad his name 
graven on the stone wall, and coxered with mortar, while outside the king's 
name appeared in letters of gold: kn(i\\ing that the dasliing water would 
destroy the plaster, and his fame would outshine that of the king, .\rchi- 
tecture is styled "The art where most magnificent appears the little builder, 
man." 

The Scotch '"Country Parson," Boyd, in his "Recreations," has an 
essay on Country Houses and Country Life, in which are suggestions for 
constructing rural homes. 

The improvement in architecture in the last twenty-five years has done 
much to l)eautify the suburbs of Philadelphia. Plates have poured in so 
])Ientifully upon the author of this volume that it has become largely a l)ook 
of illustrations, like Ijirch's Views of Philadel]diia in .\. D. 1800, drawn and 
engraved by W. Birch & Sons, and as such will be especially valuable in com- 
ing time. This large volume at the library of the tlistorical Society of Penn- 
sylvania contains a list of subscribers, useful to those who would hunt u]) 
old families in Philadelphia, and the surrounding coinitry. 

in the same most useful library may be found "X'iews in T^hiladelphia 
and Its Environs From Original Drawings, Taken in 1827-30."' Philadel- 
])liia. I'ublished by C. G. Chilcls, Engraver. The Council of the Historical 
Society passed a resolution, moved by Roberts Vaux,and seconded by Joshua 
R. Fisher, Escp, commending Colonel Childs for the preservation '"of ob- 
jects illustrative of history," "liable to decay." For a notice of Colonel 
Childs see my work, Germantown, Alt. Airy, and Chestnut Mill, \)\-i. 487. 488. 

The patient scholar Kitto, in his "Antedihn-ians and Patriarchs." quotes 
Du Bartas as to the first abode of Adam and Eve: 

"A vaulted rock, a hollow tree, a cave, 
Were the first buildings that them shelter gave." 

The poet goes on to describe them as liraiding together the boughs of "'six- 
teen fair trees" as an arbor. 

Houses seem to have i)receded tents, and sim-dried brick afYorded handy 
material. The Kalmuck Tartar excelled in the construction of his mov- 
able tent. Caesar found simple dwellings in London and Paris. Philadel- 
phia's early dwellings were caves dug in the earth, covered with timber. 
Germantown land was di\iiled according to the record in the cave of Pas- 
torius in Philadelphia. Giles Knight, of noble descent, slept for some nights 
on the ground by the side of a log, when he emigrated to P>vberr\-, as is 
recorded in Martindale's Histor\' of P)\berr\- and Aforeland. 



426 RURAL PENNSYLVANIA. 

As we behold the palatial residences so freely strewn throutjh thi.:- l)ook 
let us remember in Gray's Elegy the touching line, 

"The rude forefathers of the hamlet," 

and ask ourselves whether the forefathers and foremothers have not left 
us a lesson of simple enjoyment that must not be forgotten in the midst of 
luxury. 

Rev. Dr. H. C. McCook. in his "Tenants of an ( )ld Farm," gives a 
striking picture and description of cave life in the suburb of Philadelphia 
which we are treating, worth the reader's attention. And now, farewell to 
caves and houses, and may this \olume give as much pleasure to the reader 
as the author has experienced in its composition. 



INDEX. 



Agnew, 42. 

Albcrtson, 349. 

" Alderbrook," 230, 233, 235. 

Allen, 10. 

Aha Vista, 169. 

Altemus, 278. 

Althorp, 198. 

Amat, 53. 

Ambrusler, 46. 

Anderson, 114, 117, 118, 126, 129, 

331- 
Annasdale, 161. 
Architecture, 424. 
ARDMORE, 65, 109. 
Ardrossan, 298, 299. 
Arnold, 50, 113. 
Asaph (St.), 17. 
Ashbridge, 177, kSi. 
Ashbridge Farm, 177, 1S7. 
Ashhurst, 57, 58. 
Ashley Farm, 377. 
Ashmead, 9, 282. 
Askin, 241, 242, 262. 
Atkins, 154. 
Auchincloss, loi. 
Austin, 412. 

Avonwood Court, 135, 158. 
Awbrey, 145, I4I), 
Bacon, 22. 
Haer, 214, 217. 
Bailey, lOI, I02, 266. 
Baird, 58, 89. 
Baker, 77, 78, 410, 412. 
Baker Residence, 410, 41 1. 
BALA, 14. 
Balderson, 226. 
Baldwin, 61, loi. 
Baldwin Locomotive Works, 61. 
Ballytor, 102. 
Baltz, 121. 

Barber, 242, 359, 370. 
Barclay Farm, 23S, 251. 
Barker, 398, 410. 
Barker Building, 398, 40S. 
Barr, 213. 
Barrow, 53- 
Bartine, 49. 
Bartleson, 414, 416. 
Bartleson Residence, 4I4, 415. 
Bartram, 394, 410. 
Barwold, 43, 58. 
Basford, 74. 
Bawden, 162. 
Bean, 65. 
Bear, 365. 



Beaumont, 381. 

Beaver, 25. 

Beechwood, 166. 

Belcher, 77. 

Beltield,8i. 

BeUield Residence, 75, 81. 

" Belle-Air," 194. 

Bellevue Farm, 209. 

Bellevue, The, 270. 

Benson, 42. 

Bent, 25. 

Bergdoll, 359. 

BERWYN, 14. 65, 297. 

Bethel, Davis & Bethel, 81. 

Betsy Ross Flag, 86. 

Bettle, 145, 354. 

Bewley, 349. 

Bibles — Welsh, 90. 

Bi-Centennial of Merion Meeting, 

94- 
Bicking, 74. 
Biddle, 412. 
Biiiney, 10. 

Birch's Views of Philadelphia, 425 
Black, 169, 422. 
Black Bear Tavern, 359. 
Black Horse Tavern, 322, 347. 
Black Rock Road, 98. 
" Blanchpierre," 404. 
Blancoyd, 37. 
Blue Grass, 162. 
Blunstone, 327. 
Boddis, 419. 
Bolmar, 37, 42. 
Bolton, 73. 
Bon Air, 249, 259. 
Bond, 328, 331,354- 
Borden, 353. 
Bowen Farm, 242. 
Bowman, 46. 
Bowman Avenue, 50. 
Boyd, 402, 404. 407. 
Boyd & Boyd, 25. 
Boyden. 214. 
Boyle, 25. 
Brack, 58. 

" Brentwood," 250. 259. 
Briar Crest, 205, 206, 211. 
" Brightstone," 1 15, 126. 
Brinklow, 197. 
Brinton. 57. 
Bristol Pike, 8. 
Brolasky, 404. 
Brookdale, 290, 
Brooke, 201, 226, 242. 



Brooke Residence, 360. 

Brookfield, 340. 

'* Brookfield Farm," 326. 

Brookhurst Inn, 86. 

Brooks, 50. 

BROuMALL. 360. 

Broomall Post Office, 370. 

Brown, 74, 153, 15S, 161, 205, 

242, 277. 
Bryan, 354. 
Brynhild, 1S2. 
BKYN MAWR, 65. 145. 
liryn Mawr College, 165. 
Bryn Mawr College (Denbigh 

Hall). 143. 
Biyn J/ii-cr 11,'iite Ntivs, 18, 89. 
Buchanan, I4I. 
Bucher, 77. 
Buck, 66. 
Bucknell, 97. 
Buck Tavern, 360. 
Bunnell, 365. 
Bunting, 408. 
Burd, 310, 31 1. 

Burd Orphan Asylum, 310, 31 1,312 
I'.uell, 41. 
Burgess, 18, 97. 
Burke, 74. 
Burnham, 61. 
Burton, 17, 3 1 2. 
Bustleton, 8. 
Bybridge, 569. 
By-the-Wo'od, 138. 
Cadwalader, 105, 312, 343. 
Caldwell, 57, 77. 
Campbell, 61, 245. 
"Cardington," 331, 339. 
Carn.ahan, 49. 
Carr, 194. 
Carson, 305. 
Carter, 37, 361). 
Cassatt, 41, 137, 138, 141, 177, 

206, 293. 
Caves, 90, 426. 
Chambers, 21. 
Chandler, 46, 186, 293. 
Chapel, St. Martin's, Ilhan, 217. 
Chester Monthly Meeting, 401. 
Cheswold, 141. 
" Chetwynd, " 1S5, I9I. 
Childs, 241, 242, 245, 257, 258, 

270,425. 
Christ Church Hospital, 17. 
Church, Bangor (Episcopal), 
Churchtown, 154. 



427 



428 



INDEX. 



Church, Haptist, Ardmore, 114. 
Baptist, Lansdowne, 40J, 407 
Baptist, Lower Merion, 150. 
Baptist, Newtown, 3S7, 3S8. 
Baptist, Wayne, 253. 
Beth Rafien (M. E.), Nar- 

berth, 74. 
Evangel (Baptist), Narberth, 

55.69- 

Good Shepherd (Episcopal), 
Roseraont, 182, 189. 

Gulf Christian, Upper Merion, 
202, 214. 

Marple( Presbyterian), Broom- 
all, 363. 365- 

Matthew Simpson Memorial 

(M. E.), Ardmore, 113, 114- 
Methodist Episcopal, Lans- 

downe, 416,419. 
Methodist Episcopal, Nar- 
berth, 170. 
Methodist Episcopal, Old 

Radnor, 162. 
Methodist Episcopal, Wayne, 

263. 
Our Lady of Lourdes (R. C), 

Overbrook, 29, 31. 
Presbyterian, Bryn Mawr,l39, 

161, 162. 
Presbyterian, Lansdowne,4o6. 
Presbyterian, Marple, 365, 

366. 
Presbyterian, Narberth, 63,70, 

74- 

Presbyterian, Overbrook, 34. 

Presbyterian.Wayne, 250, 263. 

Redeemer (Episcopal), Bryn 
Mawr, 153, 154, 157- 

St. Asaph ( Episcopal ), Bala, 
15, 17, l8- 

" St. Charles Borromeo" (R. 
C), Kelleyville, 419, 420, 
421. 

St. David's (Episcopal), Rad- 
nor, 2, 90, 2S5, 2S6. 

St. John's ( Episcopal), Lower 
Merion, 50. 

St. John the Evangelist (Epis- 
copal), Lansdowne, 412, 
413,414. 

St. Katharine's (R. C), 
Wayne, 25S, 261. 

St. Luke's (M. E.), Bryn 
Mawr, 162. 

St. Martin's (Episcopal), Rad- 
nor, 214, 217. 

St. Mary's (Episcopal), Ard- 
more, 113. 
St. Mary's Memorial (Epis- 
copal), Wayne, 254, 257. 
St. Paul's (Lutheran), Lower 

Merion, 1 13. 
Trinity (Episcopal), Oxford, 
85, 141. 
Church of England, 97. 



Claflin, 269. 

Claflin Residence, 269, 274. 
Clairmont Farm, 197, 203. 
Clark, 42, 202. 
Cleaver, 242. 
Clemaria, 225, 226, 239. 
Clements, 404. 
Clemson, 226, 277, 289. 
Clerc, 312. 
Clifion Hall, 57. 
Clothier, 94, 102, 1 38. 
Clovelly, 98. 
Clovercroft, 190. 

Clubb, 286. 

Clyde, 173, 174. 

Clyde Estates, 173. 

Coates, 298. 

Coates Residence, 294, 29S. 

Cobb's Creek, 37. 

Colket, 230. 

Compton, 82. 

Conarroe, 238. 

Confederacy, 41. 

Conger, 190, 241. 

" Congress," 41. 

Conlin, 45. 

Conrad, 246, 257, 258. 

Converse, 185. 

Cook, 154. 

Coover, 1 13. 

Cope & Stewardson, 250. 

Corcoran, 54. 

Corkerhill, 38. 

Corlies, 358. 

Cornwalli-^, 89. 

Cox, 245, 374. 

Craig, 214, 362, 365. 

Cramp, 298. 

Crawford, 50, 206, 209. 

Cresswell, 42, 388. 

Crestlinn, 222. 

Croft, 61. 89. 

Cross, 365. 

Cruickshank, 57. 

Crum Creek, 390. 

Crystal Spring l-'arm, 293. 

Culver, 412. 

Cumberland, 41. 

Cunningham, 358. 

Currie, 286. 

Curtin, 42. 

Curwen, 205. 

Cushman, 182. 
Da Costa, 237. 
Dale, 250, 254. 
Darby, 412. 
" Darbydeene," 412. 
Darby Piogress, 410. 
Darley. 5. 
Darr, 246. 

Daughters of the American Revo- 
lution, 82. 
Daughters of the American Revo- 
lution (Merion Chapter), 81, 
82, 85, 86. 



Dauphin County, 26. 

Davilla Farm, 349. 

Davis, 170, 349. 

Dawson, 285. 

Daylesford, 65. 

De Garmo, 414. 

De Lancey School, 161. 

Delaware County, 9, 57- 

De/awarc County Ameriran, 62. 

Delaware County Institute of 

Science, 356. 
Delaney, 353. 
Delano, 209, 213. 
Denean, 74. 
DEVON, 65. 
Devon Inn, 278, 279. 
Devon Polo Club, 278, 281. 
Dickey, 285. 
Dodd, 98. 

Dolobran, 127, 142, 145. 
Domenec, 54. 
Doolittle, 358. 

Dorio, 369. 

Dorio Farm, 368. 
Downs, 36S. 

Dre.xel, 57, 158, 241, 242, 245, 
257.258,422- 

Drexel Estates, 404. 

Drove Tavern, 360. 

Ducbachet, 310. 

Dunn, 177. 

Dunwoody, 374, 377- 

Dunwoody Farm, 374. 

Dyson, 78. 

Earle, 49, 102. 

Eckfeldt, 347, 348. 

Edgefield, 339. 

Eel Hall, 339. 

Egbert, 262. 

Egle, 26. 

" Eight-Square School house," 
Dunwoody Farm, 377. 

Eldredge, lol. 

Eliot, 384. 

Eliza Cathcart Home, 2S2, 29I. 

Elliott, 101. 

Ellis, 169, 170, 173, 177. 

Ellison, 17?. 

Ellis's Welsh Poem, 93. 

Elm, 73. 

Elm Hall, 35, 46. 

Ely, 165, 166. 

Emerson, 66. 

English, 298. 

Enochs, 89. 

Erdman, 34. 

Erskine, 354. 

Esrey, 370. 

Esrey Farm, 209. 
Eth, 65. 

Evans, 74, 118, 137, 14'. 2f>6. 

Evening Bullelin (Phila.), S5. 
Evergreen Terrace, 269. 
Ewing, 237. 
Eyre, 50, 57. 



INDEX. 



4-9 



Fallon, 262, 422, 
" Farmers' Club," 145. 
Farrelly, 138. 
Fawkes, 374. 
Felton, 26. 
Fernbrook, 336, 339. 
Fernbrook Cottage, 336, 341. 
Ferrar, 41. 
Field, 246. 

Field Club (Narberth), 70. 
Fielding, 37. 
" Fine Farm," 373. 
Fire Company (Narbertb), 70. 
J"isher, 10. 
Fitzmaurice, 53, 54. 
Flaget, 53, 
Fletcher, 201, 290. 
Florencia, 7S. 
Flounders, 365. 
Flower Astronomical Observatory, 

356,357.35s. 
Folly Farm, 121. 
Forsythe, 73. 

Forsythe Residence, 67, 73. 
Fotteral, 173. 
Fowler, 162. 

Fox, loi, 373, 378, 394,401. 
Fox Chase, S. 
Foxcroft, 369. 
Fox Hill, 163, 169, 170. 
Francis, 354. 
Franciscus, 45. 
Frenaye, 53. 
French, 2^0, 233. 
Friends' Book Association, 94. 
Friends' Meeting House, 57. 
Friends' Meeting House, Merion, 

6, 90. 
Friends' Meeting House and 

School, N'ewiown, 382. 
Friends' Meeting, Lansdowne, 

392. 393.401. 
Friends' Meeting, Old Radnor, 21S. 
Froissart, 73. 
Frotcher, 78. 
Fuguet, loi. 
Furness, Evans & Co., 38, 106, 

222, 2S9. 
Fury, 78. 

" Garden of Radnor," 373. 
Garrett, 181. 190, 202, 328, 331, 

340,401,422,424. 
Ciarrett Residence, 202, 207. 
Garrison, 222. 
Geisse, 229. 

General \Va)'ne Tavern, 82, 89. 
George, 22, 34. 
Gerhard, 21. 
Gest, 21. 
Getz, 354. 
Gilliam, loi. 

Gillingham. 197, 205, 213. 
Gilmore, 262. 
Gladwynne, 74. 
Glenays, 134, 15S. 



Glenn, 9. 

Godey, 21. 

Godfrey, 293. 

Goshen Roads, 57. 

" Goiighacres " Stables, 173, 175. 

Graham, 78. 

Grand Duke Alexis, 41. 

•Grange, 57- 

Grant, 358. 

Grant's Shops. 358. 

Gray Arches, 23, 25. 

Green, 382, 408. 

Greenbank, 169. 

Greystone, 37. 

Griscom, 137, 145. 

Grubb, 269. 

Gulf Mills, 202, 267. 

Gulick, 285. 

Gummere, 94. 

Hagy, 78. 

Ha'deman, 370. 

Hale, 370. 

Hallowell, 246. 

Halsey, 189, 277, 289. 

Hamersly, 17. 

Hamilton, 125. 

Hammer Hollow, 2S1, 2S2. 

Hand, 258, 261. 

Hanley, 374. 

Hannum, 350, 359. 

Happy Creek Farm, 287. 

Harding, 81,82. 

Hare, 50, 222. 

Hare-Powel, 246. 

Harjes, 78. 

Harris, 46, 394. 

Harrison, 45, 82, 289, 290. 

Harriton, 147, 149, 213, 214. 

Hart, 246, 249, 354, 356. 

Hartman, 350. 353. 

Hart Residence, 249. 

Hartshorne, 62. 

Harvey, 81, 82, 90. 

Haslam, 388. 

Haughton, 1 54. 

HAVERFORI), 57,65, 126. 

Haverford College. 120, I30. 

HaverfordCollege(New Building), 

123, 129. 
Haverford College (Old Building), 

118, I2q. 
Haverford Meeting, 93. 
Hay, 1S9. 
Hayes, 21. 
Hays, 350. 
Haywood, 49. 

Hazelhurst & Huckel, 229, 404. 
Hebertnn, 249. 
Heck, 113. 

Henderson ""upplee House, 202. 
Hensz^-y, 106, 137. 
Heslon, 82, 89. 
ITewitl, 205. 
Heyl. 214. 
Hickman, 217. 



Hickory Hall, 294. 

Hickory Lodge, 138. 

Highland Farm, 209. 

Hillcroft, 368. 

'•Hill-Side," 339. 

Hillside Farm, 389. 

" Hindsbury," 158. 

Hippie, loi, 166. 

Hires, 45. 

H oilman, 162. 

Holm. 162. 

Holmhurst, 51, 62. 

Holstein, 82. 

Iloud, 125,327, 374. 

Hood Farm, 374. 

Hoodland, 321, 322, 323, 325, 326. 

Hopper, 97. 

Horntr, 158. 

Horstmann, 54. 

Horton, 374. 

Hospital, 42. 

Hospital of the Good Shepherd, 

238,241, 273. 
Hotchkin, 161, 361, 366, 367, 368. 
Howison, 25. 
Hoyt, 50. 
Huey, 45. 
Hughes, 82. 
Humphrey, 150. 
Humphreysville, 150. 
Hunt, 217. 

Hunter, 298, 369, 38S. 
Hurst, 102. 

Hutton, 22, 54, 62, 102, 298. 
Hyde, 419. 
Ingeborg, 35. 
Innes, 414. 

Inspiration Farm, 209, 210, 213. 
Irwin, 404. 
Ivester, 27S. 
Jameson, 233, 234. 
Janney, 94. 
JelTeris, 404. 
Jester, 406. 
Johnson, 40, 269, 350, 373, 394, 

404, 410. 
Jones, 33. 78, 82, 90, 93, 102, 134, 

150,214,242, 331,354, 360, 

369. 3S7. 
Joyce, 181. 186, 189, 195. 
Joyce Residence, 186, 195. 
Justice, 78. 
Kane, 339, 404. 
Keeley, 45. 
Keen & ^Iead, 222. 
•' Keilhans," 386. 
Keller, 257. 
Kellogg, loi. 
Kennedy, 29, 34, 37, 70, 165, 230, 

350, 404. 
Kenney, 401. 
Kenrick, 53, 54, 194. 
Kent, 113. 
Keys, 277. 
KEYSTONE, 328. 



430 



INDEX. 



Keystone Paper Mills, 327, 328 

329 

Keystone School-house, 331. 
Kieran, 54. 
Kimball, 173. 
Kinsie, 353. 

Kirk, 25, 347, 358, 382. 
■' Kirkbride's" (Newtown Square) 

382. 
Kirk I'arm, 358. 
Kortright, 2S1. 
Kreamer, 74. 
Kruse, 254. 

Lailies'' li-i^ery Saturday ^ 242. 
Lafayette, 8g. 
Lainshaw, 230. 
Lalanne, 169. 
Lanaban, 359. 
Lancaster Turnpike, 66. 
Lane, 118. 
Langdale, 298. 
LANSDOWNE, 393. 
Latch, 45. 
Laverty, 365. 
Lawrence, 359, 370. 
Lawrence's Mills, 359. 
Learning, 250. 
Ledgeley, 325. 
Ledger, Philadelphia, 89. 
Lee. 353. 
Leedom, 353. 
Leighton Place, 19, 21. 
Lentz, 213. 
Leonard, 374. 
" Level Store," 370. 
Levering, n. 
Levick, 14, 65. 
Levis, 340. 

Lewis, 57, 294, 336, 340, 353. 
Lewis Homestead, 385. 
Lex, 285. 
Liddon, 327. 
Liddonfield. 326, 377. 
Linden Shade Farm, 167, 173. 
Linden Shade Farm, Stables, etc., 

171.173- 
Linden Shade Farm, " 1 he 

Cabin," 171, 173. 
Lindsay, 169, 368, 369. 
Lindsay Farm, 369. 
Lindsay or Urooke Farm, 368. 
Linfoot, 58 
Linn, 250, 253. 
Litzenberg, 370. 
Livezey, 225. 
Llanerch, 349, 350. 
Llewellyn Homestead, 209, 210, 

2«3- 
Lloyd, 198. 
Lobb, 410. 
Lobb Farm, 410. 
Lodge, 42. 
Logan, 21. 
Longstrcth, 246, 350. 
Lonsdale, 26, 29. 



, Louella Farm, 241. 
LOWER MERION, 33, 66. 
Lownes, 360. 
Lowry, 78. 

Lukens, 242, 347, 354. 
Lutheran Mission, Manoa, 354. 
Lutz, 358. 

, Lycett, loi, 153, 154, 157. 

Lynhurst, 87, IlS. 

" Lyon "—Ship. 86. 

Lyons, 181. 

MacUnight, 365. 

MacLean, 226. 

Mac\'eagh, 209, 213, 

Maison, 414. 

Makers of Philadelphia, 30, 113. 
Malcolm, 49. 

Mailer, 53. 

Manning, 412, 414. 

Manoa Park, 35°. 351. 353- 

Maple Grove Farm, 412. 

March, 78. 

Marple, 359. 

Marriner, 74. 

Marshall. 352. 

Marston, 41, 62. 

M.irtin, 226, 229. 

Mather, 15S, 173, 177. 

Matlack, 245. 

Maule, 205, 206. 

Maxwell, 82. 

Maybrook, 106. 

Mayer, 189. 

McClellan, 57, 78, 374. 

McCIements, 74 

McClenachan. 85. 

McConnell, 18. 

McCrea, 242. 

McDowell, 85. 

McFadden, 238. 

McGeorge, 46. 

McGovern, 54. 

McKim. Mead & White, 278. 

McMichael's Diary, 89. 

McOwen, 26. 

McOwen Residence, 26, 27. 

McVitty. loi, 166. 

Meadowcroft, 20 1. 

Mears Residence, 2S1, 282, 283. 

Megargee, 26, 121. 

Memorial S.-S. Chapel (Presbyte- 
rian), Keystone. 331. 

MKRION, 14 57,65,66. 

Merion Avenue, 50. 

Merion TricketClub, loi, 130. 131. 

Merion Cricket Club,Gateway, 133. 

Merioneth, 65. 

Merion Title & Trust Company, 
Ardmore, 103, 122, 125. 

** Merrimac," 41. 

Middleham, 369. 

Middleton, 193. 

Miel, 246. 

Milllin, 57,246. 

Milestones, 57. 



'• Mill Bank," 332, 335, 337, 339. 

" Millbourne," 31S, 319, 321. 

Millbourne Mills. 309. 

Mill Creek, 66, 118. 

Miller, 161, 254. 

Milligan, 419. 

Mills — Roberts's, 66. 

Mink, 419. 

Montgomery, 12, 14, 74, 134, 15S, 
230, 298, 301,302,305. 

Montgomerj' County, 9, 14,65. 

Monument at Washington's En- 
campment, 85. 

Moore, 170, 173, 350, 361, 362, 
36S, 370, 373. 

Moran, 58. 

Morgan, ly 

Morgantown, 154. 

Morris, 17, 34, 37, 125, 206, 213. 

Morrison, 34, 249. 

Morse, 3S7. 

Moses, 258. 

Mott, 226. 

Moulton, 350. 

Mt. Pleasant School house, 206. 

Mueller, 78,81. 

Mueller Residence, 71, Si. 

Miiller, 19S. 

Mullin, 29, 394. 

Munyon, S2. 

Murray, 213. 

Myers, 58. 

NARBERTH,65,69. 

Xarliirt/i Cilizen, 77. 

Narberth Field Club, 70. 

Narberth Railway Station, 59, 69. 

Naylor, 340. 

Neill, 161. 

Neumann, 53. 

Newberry, 209. 

Newhall, 278. 

Newsom, 77. 

NEWTOWN SQUARE, ^83. 

NEW NEWTOWN SQUARE, 
381,382. 

"Newtown Square Inn," 3S1. 

Nock, 82, 414. 

Norris, 174. 

Norris Residence, 174, 1S3. 

NORTH WAYNE, 246. 

Oak Hall, 339. 

Oak-Hame, 262. 

Oat, 350. 

O'Brien, 420, 422. 

O'Connor, 29, 53, 420. 

O'Dwyer, 194. 

O'llara, 53. 

Old Eagle School-house, 270, 273, 

.i74. 377- 
Oldmixon, 66. 
Olinda, 82, 85. 
Olmsted, 18, 89. 
Osbom House, 234, 237. 
Our r.aJv of Gn<d Counsel, 197. 
OVERBROOK, 22, 34. 



INDEX. 



431 



OVERBROOK AND LOWER 

MERION, j3. 
Overbrook Farms, 22. 
Overbrook Stores, 31. 
Uwaiii Gwynedd, 90. 
Owen Farm, 401. 
Owen House, 102. 
Owens, 410. 
I'aist, 2S5. 
Pancoast, 393. 
Parish of the Good Shepherd, 

1S9. 
Pa. R. R. Men's j\\-U's,2l. 
Parry, 61. 
Paschall, 3S9, 390. 
Patterson, 305. 
Patton, 222, 225, 254. 
Paul, 237. 
Paxson, S2, 237. 
Peabody & Stearns, 237. 
Peace, 161. 
Pearce, loi, 107, 125. 
Pearson, 162. 
Pechin, 177, 17S, iSl. 
Peltz, 242. 
Pencoyd, 93. 
Pencoyd Farm, 12, 17. 
Penna. ( Hist. Soc. of ), 9,425. 
Penna K. R., 66, 109. 
Penna. Society of the Sons of the 

Revolution, 202. 
Penn, 57, 90, 93. 
Penn Cottage, 98. 
Penn Gaskill, 85, 97, 98. 
Pennhurst, 79, 97. 
Penn Mile-stone, 98. 
Pennock, 393, 397, 398. 
Pen Rhyn Vcoyd, 141. 
Pettit & Bacon, 22. 
Philler, 137, 177. 
Piper, 113. 

Pleasants, 246, 262, 265, 266. 
Plumstead, 412. 
Potter, 9, 34, 89. 
Potts, 46. 
Potts' Estate, 46. 
Powell, i6g, 401. 
Powers, 32S. 
Pratt Estate, 382. 
Prendergast, 29. 
Prescott, 74. 
Preston, 382, 
Price, 37, 78, Si, 86, 89, 93, 206, 

393.412. 
Prichet, 350. 
Prichett.'349, 353. 
" Primitive Christians," 386. 
Pugh, 30. 
Purves, 254. 
Pyle, loi. 
Pyott, 353, 373. 
Quigg, 162. 
RADNOR, 65, 173. 
Radnor Hunt, 177, 179. 
Radnor Ridge, 281. 



Ramsey, 242. 

Rand, 229, 230. 

Rawle, 15S. 

Rawlins, 213. 

Raymond, 8. 

Raynham, 37. 

Reading R. R., 66. 

Rectory, St. Martin's Church (Rad- 
nor), 230. 

Redleaf, 90, 106. 

Redruth Manse, 23, 26. 

Redstone, 214. 

Reed, 114. 

Rees, 90, 93. 

Register, 89, 98, 118, 121. 

Register Residence, 84, 117. 

Reilly, 30. 

Remington, 106. 

Reynolds, 42. 

Rhoads, 190, 37S, 416, 419. 

Rhoads Residence and Veterina- 
rium, 416, 417. 

Richards, loi. 

Richardson Convalescent Home, 
2S1. 

Richland, 349. 

Rider, 153. 

Righter, 230. 

Ringwalt, no. 

" Riverview," 422, 423, 424. 

Roberts. 17, 41, 54, 90, 93, 98, 
101,182,218, 221, 242,406. 

Roberts's Mills, 66. 

Robins, 50. 

Robinson, 414. 

Roby, 261. 

Rockland, 265. 

Rocklynne, 229, 230. 

Rodney, 365, 366. 

Rogers, 230. 

Rood, 365. 

Rorke, 121, 122. 

Rosati, 53. 

Rose Hill, 45. 

ROSEMONT, 65, 177. 

Ross, 57. 

Rudolph, 194. 

Rulon-Miller, 173. 

Runymede, 422. 

Runymede Club House, 394. 

Rush, 49, 246. 

Russell, 74. 

Ryan, 29, 54, 398, 420. 

Sabbath- Keepers, 3S6. 

*' Sabbath- Keepers' Resting Place," 

385- 
Sachse, 274. 
Sagebeer, 3S8. 
Sanders, 262, 305- 
Sank, 270. 
Sargent, 419. 

Satiininy Evening Post, 89. 
Savage, 354. 
Sayen. 245. 
Sayres, 82, 98, 137. 



Scharf & Westcott's " History of 

Philadelphia," 61. 
Scheetz, 98. 
Schmidt, 229. 

Schuylkill Valley R. R., 66. 
Scott, 17, 21, 38. 
Scull, 21,66. 
Seaver, 34. 
Seeler, 358. 
Sellers, 309, 312, 315, 316, 317, 

318,321,322, 325, 326,327, 

32'\ 3ii, 332, 335, iif^, 339. 

340, 343. 344. 347. 
Sellers Hall, 313, 315. 
Sellers Hall Farm, 312. 
Sellers Residence (\Vm. Sellers), 

318.321. 
"Sentinel Chestnut," 73. 
Service, 45. 
Shakespeare, 173. 
Shanahan, 54. 
Sharpies, 130. 
Shaw, 246. 
Sheeleigh, 14. 
Shoemaker, 393, 410. 
Shoemaker Residence, 409, 410. 
Shortridge, I02, 106. 
Simons, 26. 

Simpson, 33,46, 78, 101, 113,162. 
Sims, 65. 
Sinnott, 181, 1S9. 
Sipnian, 118. 
Sisters of Mercy, 50. 
Skinner, 40S. 
Sloan, 54, 230. 
Slocum, 214. 
Smith, 9, 22, 57, 58, 85, loi, 185, 

205, 262, 354, 355, 359, 366. 
Smyth, 221, 222. 
Snively, 312. 
Snowden, loi. 
Solm, 214. 
South, 298. 

SOUTH WAYNE, 250. 
Spread Eagle Tavern, 273. 
Springton Farm, 339, 340, 343. 
Stacker, 221. 
Stacker House, 21S, 231. 
Stackhouse, 354. 
Stadelman, 62. 
Stafford, 86. 
Stanton, 41, 359. 
St. Charles Borromeo Theological 

Seminary, 53. 
St. David's, 233. 
Steel, 113. 
Steele, 50. 
Stevenson, 50. 
Stewart. 233, 397. 
" St. George's," 95, 114, 11- 
Stocker, 245. 
Stotesburv, 22. 
STRAFFORD ; -■ 
Stroud, 282 
Struthe'-, i ■ 



432 



INDEX. 






St. Thomas's College, Villa Nova, 

193. 194, 197. >99- 
Sunset View, 410. 
Super, 74. 
Supplee, 370. 
Sutton, 126. 
Swope, S2. 
Sylvester, 138. 
Syng, 117. 

Taylor, 26, 349, 362, 369, 404. 
Taylor Residences, 26, 27, 395, 

404. •; 

Thackera, 214. 

"The Grange," 38, 57. 

"The Hills," 246. 

"The Mansion," 401. 

"The Villa," Green Hill, 302, 

303. 305- 
Thomas, 50, 94, 113, 145. IS**, 165. 

177, 17S, 181,378, 381,389. 
Thomas — John ap, 90, 93. 
Thomas iS: Martin, 26. 
Thomas Residence, 378, 379. 
Thompson, 149, 234. 
Thomson, 17, 38, 45, 213. 
Thorn, 50, 225. 
Thorncroft, 99, 121. 
Thorough Plain, 410. 
Tilden, 37. 

Toll -gates, West Chester Pike, 350. 
Tornatore, 53. 
Townsend, 37, 78, loi. 
Transportation, no. 
Treat, 266, 269. 
Treat Residence, 266, 271. 
Trout Run, 66. 
Trumbauer, 234. 269. 
Turnpike, Lancaster, 66. 
Twaddell, 385. 
Twitchell, 65. 

Ty'n-V-Coed, in, 122, 125. 
Tyson, 214. 

Unicorn Tavern. 270, 273. 
" Union Library," Delaware 

County, 382. 
Union Volunteers Refreshment 

Saloon, 85. 
^Upland, 159, 169. 



UPPER DARBY, 308, 347. 

Van Bebber, 118. 

\'an Dyke, 49. 

Vansant, 404. 

Vaux, 150. 

Veale, 89. 

Villa Florenza, 233, 247. 

Milage Reiord, 273. 

Villa Nova College (Augustinian), 

193. 194. 197. 199- 
Villa xXova Moiitlily, 197. 
Wagner, 305. 
Walker, 77, 82, 94. 
Wallace, 78. 
Walmarthon, 234. 
Walsh, 54, 394. 
Walton, 234, 262. 
Walton Residence, 234. 
Warner, 218, 221. 
Warnock «.\; Ltibrandt, 85. 
Washburne, 9. 
Washington, 89, 97. 
Washington's Encampment, 85. 
Watkins, 113. 
Watson, 18, 154, 370. 
Watt, 262, 269. 
WAYNE, 241. 
Wayne Cottat;e, 265. 
Wayne Estate, 242, 245, 246. 
Wayne Title & Prust Company, 

261, 262. 
Wayne Tombstones, 385, 386, 390. 
Webster, 42. 
Weidel, 86. 
Weimar, lOI. 
Weirwood, 222. 
Welsh, 1 82. 
Welsh Books, 93. 
Welsh Language, 90. 
Welsh, The, 90. 
Welsh Tract, 9, 57. 
Weltvreten, 229. 
Wendell & Smith, 22, 234, 266, 

269. 
Wentworth, 27S. 
West, 241, 359. 382, 3S4. 
WE.ST CHESTER PIKE AND 

LANSDUWNE, 306. 



West Chester Pike Mail Wagon, 

306, 307, 30S. 
West Conshohocken, 66. 
Wheeler, 98, 157. 
Wheeler Residence, 155, 157. 
Whilldin, 82. 
Whitaker, 18, 241, 365. 
White, 49, 332, 398, 407. 
White Hall, 149, 15S. 
White Residence, 399, 407. 
Whitney, 1 58. 
Whittier, 325. 
WilLur, ici. 
Wilco-x, 57. 

Wild Orchard, 332, 333, 339. 
Williams. 90. 

Williamson, 353, 359, 370. 
Willow Brook, 353. 
Wilson, 9, 21, 30, 38, 42, 58. 
Wilson Brothers, 254. 
Windrim, 81. 
Wint, 265. 

Wood, 54, 78, 206, 368, 369. 
Woodburne, 225, 226, 229, 243. 
Woodfield, 181, 182. 
Woodmont, 206, 209. 219. 
Woodmont F.irm, 206, 209. 
" Woodside," 193. 
Woodstock, 237. 
Woodview, 373. 
N^'oolman, 401. 
W'orrell, 369. 
Wyndham, 165. 
Wyndhurst, 269. 
Wyndicot, 378. 
Wynne, 93. 
Wynnewood, 102. 
Wyoming Band, 89. 
Yarnall, 37, 62, 374 389. 
Yarnall & Cooper, 62. 
Ydd, 65. 
Yerkes, 73. 
Yocura. 213. 
Ycrklynne, 262. 
York Road, 8. 
Young. 86. 
Zorayda, 47, 61. 



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